The term "au pair" describes a young person living on an equal basis with a host family in a foreign country. The au pair helps the family with childcare, housework, or both while staying as a guest of the family and generally receiving a small allowance (or pocket money).

An au pair will typically be a young woman, or sometimes a young man, who is accepted into the host family as an external family member. Both the family and au pair are expected to respect cultural differences & display tolerance to one another (Source: Wikipedia). 

Jobs can be found for au pairs in Germany, the French, German or Italian speaking regions of Switzerland or in the UK with families who need an extra pair of hands to look after their children.

The main duties of the au pair will be closely related to the care of the child or children, although some light housework may be expected. Au pairs are normally expected to work 25 hours per week although some babysitting may be required one or two evenings per week.

A typical day may commence with waking, washing and dressing the child. You may be required to prepare simple meals. Depending upon the age of the child you may be expected to take the child to school and collect the child later in the day, take the child for a walk or organise the child's playtime. You may be expected to wash and iron the childs clothes and tidy the childs room. The au pair should be able to stimulate the child through various activities e.g. craftwork, play, outings etc.