Working hours and tasks
Which tasks are not part of the au pair role?
Short answer
An au pair supports your family with childcare and with light household tasks connected to the children. However, they are not a substitute for a care worker or a skilled professional, nor for a cleaner or housekeeper.
Care, giving medication and therapeutic treatments are not part of an au pair's tasks. Professional or thorough cleaning of the household is also not an au pair activity.
Last updated: 13.08.2026
Where are the limits?
An au pair is a young person taking part in cultural exchange, and is primarily there to support your family with childcare.
Medical or nursing care of a child, giving medication, or therapeutic treatments are not part of their tasks. This responsibility remains with the parents and, where relevant, with qualified professionals.
A thorough cleaning of the household is also not part of an au pair's tasks. This includes, for example, cleaning toilets and bathrooms, window cleaning, intensive floor or furniture cleaning, or other activities for which a cleaner would usually be employed.
Typical au pair activities, by contrast, include looking after the children, light household tasks connected with the children, and preparing simple meals for the children.