Turn your love for children into an opportunity to explore the world.
Enjoy free rent, meals, and spending money—all in exchange for helping your host family thrive.
An au pair is a young person, typically aged 18–35, who lives with a family in another country to assist them with childcare and household support. In return, au pairs enjoy free room and board, a weekly allowance, and the opportunity to live in another country affordably, with a family-style support system.
The term "au pair" translates to "on par" or "equal to," reflecting the idea that you’ll become part of the family—a supportive new member helping them achieve a smooth routine while sharing in their daily life.
Sounds interesting? Get in touch with us, or keep learning about au pairs below.
What is an Au Pair?
What are an Au Pair’s daily responsibilities?
Every family has its own routine and expectations, but as an au pair, you should be prepared to take on these common responsibilities:
Childcare: Provide attentive, high-quality care while engaging children in fun and educational activities.
School Routine: Assist with morning preparations, school drop-offs, and pick-ups.
Homework & Activities: Help with homework, arrange playdates, and coordinate after-school activities.
Meal Prep: Prepare meals and snacks for the children, pack lunches, and assist with family meal prep.
Tidying Up: Keep children’s rooms, play areas, and common spaces tidy; launder children’s clothes and bedding.
Light Household Help: Assist with small household tasks like loading the dishwasher and running simple errands.
What does an Au Pair’s schedule look like?
Usually, Au Pairs work up to 30 hours per week. Your daily schedule will be tailored by your host family to meet their needs, typically including morning and afternoon shifts, often with one evening shift each week to allow parents a night out.
Most au pairs enjoy 1-2 full days off each week. During your free time, you can:
Relax and recharge on your own.
Meet up with friends or other au pairs, or attend social events.
Take language classes to enhance your cultural experience.
Explore local attractions, stunning scenery, and nearby sights.
In between, it’s important to spend some time with your host family—sharing meals, joining weekend outings, attending events, or even vacationing together if mutually agreed upon.
This balance of work and leisure offers the chance to fully immerse yourself in the culture, build meaningful relationships, and create lasting memories.
How much is an Au Pair’s weekly allowance?
In addition to free housing and meals, au pairs receive weekly pocket money for personal expenses, so you won’t need to rely on your savings for day-to-day living. The amount varies depending on the family’s location and the benefits they can otherwise provide but typically ranges from €70-€150 per week.
Bonus: Many host families also cover the cost of a monthly transit pass or provide access to the family car!
How much time do Au Pairs have to travel and explore?
Au Pairs have ample time off for exploring the local area, day trips, and short getaways. For extended adventures, many Au Pairs travel before or after their contract, or during their annual leave. It’s an amazing chance to explore nearby cities, and tick some locations off your bucket list.
What Are The Benefits of Becoming an Au Pair?
This could just be your best decision yet! Discover how becoming an au pair can enrich your life personally, professionally, and culturally—while creating unforgettable memories abroad.
Purposeful Pause
Turn a break from school or work into a rewarding adventure filled with travel, learning, skill-building, and personal growth.
Affordable Travel
Live abroad without breaking the bank—your host family provides free room, meals, and a weekly allowance.
Global Adventures
Explore must-sees and attractions during your time off, with chances to travel even more on annual leave and before and after your contract.
Personal Growth
Build confidence, independence, and essential life skills while navigating new challenges and opportunities abroad.
Childcare Experience
Gain valuable skills that enhance your resume, showcasing your organizational and leadership abilities—perfect for any career path.
Cultural Exchange
Learn the language, prepare local dishes, establish connections, and live like a local instead of a tourist.
Meaningful Work
Make a real difference by fostering children’s joy, growth, and development while helping a family achieve a calm and balanced lifestyle.
Lasting Connections
Create lasting bonds with your host family, local community, other au pairs, and new friends from around the world.
Where Can This Opportunity Take You?
Our program places eligible au pairs in incredible destinations across Canada, the UK, France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands. Whether it’s the rolling hills of Italy, the charming countryside of France, the mountain towns of Canada, or the stunning coastlines of Australia and New Zealand, you’ll live and work in settings that feel like a dream.
On your days off, endless adventures await. Explore iconic landmarks, uncover hidden gems, and immerse yourself in the rich culture of your host country.
This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity allows you to step out of your comfort zone, become part of a local family, and experience life in a different country from a fresh perspective. Transform not only your own life but also the lives of your host family, all while ticking dream destinations off your bucket list and embracing a cultural exchange that will stay with you forever.
Find out if you meet the program and visa requirements by clicking the link below!
When is the best time to register?
Planning your trip at least 4-6 months in advance gives us the time to truly understand what kind of host family be most compatible for you. It also ensures time to meet visa requirements, complete every step properly, and prepare you to arrive at your destination with confidence and ease. Get in touch if you want to go sooner, it may be possible!
While January, June, and September are peak months for departing, opportunities are available year-round—don’t miss your chance to start this life-changing journey!
Why Aurora Au Pair Agency?
Skip the hassle and uncertainty of trying to find a host family online.
With years of international placement expertise, we’ve streamlined the process to make every match safe, supportive, and successful.
We take care of the details—connecting you with welcoming families, managing documentation, and guiding you through every step. From visa support and interview prep to packing tips and international travel advice, we ensure you’re confident and ready for your adventure.
With Aurora, your journey is thoughtfully planned so you can focus on creating memories and embracing cultural exchange.