Finding the right Au Pair starts with more than a great interview. It starts with clearly communicating what life with your family will actually look like.
A well written Au Pair job description gives potential candidates a realistic picture of their schedule, childcare responsibilities, and role in your household. It also helps your family attract Au Pairs whose experience, personality, and expectations align with your needs.
The more specific you are from the beginning, the easier it can be to find the right match and avoid misunderstandings later.
Why Your Au Pair Job Description Matters
Completing your Host Family profile is an important step becuase often one of the first things an Au Pair considers when deciding whether to interview with your family. A vague description can leave candidates wondering what you really need help with.
Instead of writing something like, “Help with the kids and some household chores,” think about what your Au Pair will actually do throughout a typical day.
Will they prepare breakfast? Drive children to school? Help with homework? Prepare children’s lunches? Take the kids to activities? Keep play areas organized? These details help candidates picture themselves as part of your household.
A clear Au Pair duties list also gives you an opportunity to be upfront about expectations before matching. When both sides understand the role, there is less room for surprises after arrival.
Start With Your Family's Real Routine
Before writing your profile, walk through a typical weekday from morning to bedtime.
Ask yourself:
- When do the children wake up?
- Who gets them dressed and ready?
- Who prepares breakfast?
- Are school drop-offs or pickups needed?
- Which activities require transportation?
- When do the children typically eat?
- Is homework help needed?
- What happens during nap or quiet time?
- What childcare responsibilities are needed in the evening?
- What child-related household tasks will the Au Pair handle?
You don’t need to create a rigid schedule that looks exactly the same every day. Instead, identify the recurring responsibilities that an Au Pair can expect.
Au Pair Responsibilities Template
Use our Au Pair Responsibilities Checklist to start building your family’s duty list and get a clear idea of how an Au Pair can help your family. Figuring out what tasks you need an Au Pair to help with will help you with matching with your ideal Au Pair.
Turn Your Family's Needs Into Profile Language
Once you’ve identified your responsibilities, turn them into language that tells an Au Pair what to expect—not simply what you want them to do.
For example, instead of saying:
“We need someone who can help with our busy schedule.”
Try:
“Our Au Pair will help our children get ready each morning, drive them to school and afternoon activities, and assist with homework and dinner on weekdays.”
The second version gives candidates much more useful information.
Think “What, When, and Who”
For every major responsibility, try to include:
What: What exactly will the Au Pair do?
When: When during the day or week will it happen?
Who: Which children will they primarily care for?
For example:
Vague:
“Help get the kids ready.”
Specific:
“Help our two children, ages 5 and 8, get dressed and ready for school each morning, including breakfast and packing backpacks.”
Specificity doesn’t mean your profile needs to be complicated. A few concrete details can make a significant difference.
Au Pair Duties Examples: Vague vs. Well-Written
Here’s how small changes can make an Au Pair duties list much more useful.
Vague Duty
Better Duty Description
The goal isn’t to list every minute of the day. It’s to give candidates enough information to understand their role and your expectations.
Be Honest About Your Family's Needs
Your Host Family profile should reflect your actual childcare needs, not the version you think will attract the most candidates.
If your family needs early mornings, say so.
If driving is an important part of the role, explain it.
If your children have multiple afternoon activities, include them.
If your schedule changes throughout the week, explain the general pattern.
Being upfront may mean some candidates decide your family isn’t the right fit. That’s a good thing. The goal isn’t to attract every Au Pair. It’s to attract the right Au Pair for your family.
Keep Au Pair Program Requirements in Mind
When creating your duties list, remember that an Au Pair’s responsibilities should focus on caring for your children and reasonable child related household tasks. It’s import to know which duties are appropriate for an Au Pair to be responsible for.
Your list should also fit within the Au Pair program’s established limits for working hours and time off. Avoid presenting overtime or unrelated household work as part of the position.
A clearly defined role makes it easier for both the Host Family and Au Pair to understand expectations from the beginning.
Host Family Profile Tips for Better Matching
Your duties list is just one part of a strong Host Family profile. Consider these additional host family profile tips:
Describe Your Children’s Personalities
Don’t only list ages. Explain what your children enjoy.
“Emma is 6 and loves soccer, drawing, and reading” tells an Au Pair much more than “We have a 6-year-old.”
Explain Your Family’s Lifestyle
Are weekends usually spent at home? Does your family enjoy outdoor adventures? Do the children have a busy activity schedule? Give candidates a glimpse into everyday family life.
Describe Your Ideal Match
Rather than saying you want an Au Pair who is “hardworking and responsible,” describe the qualities that matter in your household.
For example:
“We’re looking for someone who enjoys being active with children and is comfortable helping them stay on a consistent school-night routine.”
Talk About the Schedule
Candidates need to understand when childcare is generally needed. A sample weekly schedule can make your description even clearer.
A Clear Duties List Can Lead to a Better Match
Writing an Au Pair job description might seem like a small part of the matching process, but it can have a big impact.
When families clearly explain their routines, responsibilities, schedules, and expectations, Au Pairs can make more informed decisions about whether the family is a good fit for them.
That means your duties list isn’t simply a list of tasks. It’s a tool for finding someone who understands what your family needs, and is excited about becoming part of your household.
The best match isn’t just someone who can do the job. It’s someone who wants the life your family is offering.
Use the Au Pair Responsibilities template to outline your needs, add the details that make your family unique, and create a profile that helps the right candidates see themselves as part of your family.
