What is an au pair?

An au pair is a young person who is treated as a family member in exchange for certain services, such as a limited amount of light housework or help minding children.

It is a voluntary arrangement between a private household and a private individual. The objective of the arrangement is to enable the au pair to experience a different culture and improve his or her foreign language skills.

There is no specific regulatory framework covering au pairs. An au pair is not a professional nanny or child minder. Au pairs are not employees and there is no contract of employment between the host family and the au pair. The au pair is usually given room and board and paid weekly pocket money and it is up to families to comply. Agencies cannot police the au pair industry. Click for more details here.