To understand how to create your au pairs schedule, please review the following rules based on the Department of State Regulations.
Your au pair is allowed to be on duty no more than 45 hours per week.
They can be on duty for a maximum of 10 hours in any 24-hour period. For example, if an au pair is scheduled to be on duty from 8am – 6pm, they cannot be on duty again until the next morning.
All childcare-related tasks are included in this 45-hour limit.
The children’s sleeping time is counted as work time if your au pair is responsible for the children.
Your au pair must receive at least one and a half consecutive days off each week. For example, they should have one full day off plus be off for half a day in the morning and be on duty in the afternoon for a maximum of 5 hours (half of a 10-hour day) the next day.
They should have one full weekend (Friday evening to Monday morning) off per month.
Under no circumstances may au pairs work more than the daily or weekly maximum hours allowed, even for additional pay. Breaking of these rules would result in removal from the program.
As a host family, it is your responsibility to initiate a discussion about holidays and to mutually determine which holidays your au pair will be off duty, as there are no designated holidays on the federal au pair program.
Imagine the following scenario: your entire family is sitting at the dinner table and the children become restless. Your au pair is officially “off duty” this evening but feels responsible for the children. Who should attend to the children?
Please keep in mind that, like you, your au pair has had a long day. For them, however, it is particularly difficult to feel “off-duty” because their duties are performed in the home.
The following actions can help avoid confusion over on-duty and off-duty time:
Give a clear schedule to your au pair in advance, so they know when they are officially on-duty.
Communicate with your au pair that they are always welcome to spend time with the family, but they are not obligated to care for the children at those times.
Talk to your children about respecting your au pair’s boundaries like asking permission before going into their room or understanding the au pair may need time alone sometimes.
Be proactive in addressing the children’s needs when your au pair is present so everyone is clear that you are the go-to person in that moment.
Have weekly meetings with your au pair to provide a safe space for healthy communication about any concerns between you and your au pair.
If you’re wondering how to differentiate between “on duty” and “off duty,” see these tips below.
In general, any time an au pair is expected to be responsible for the children, they are considered on duty.
When scheduled as off duty, your au pair is not responsible for your children.
A weekly schedule, not exceeding 45 hours (with a maximum of 10 hours in any 24-hour period) allows your au pair to know when they are free to make plans.
Follow these tips for clear communication:
Lay out the schedule clearly at the beginning of every week.
Write a list of specific tasks helps to avoid confusion about an au pair’s duties.
If you need your au pair to be on duty at a time outside of their normal work schedule (i.e. a Sunday afternoon while you attend a wedding), give your au pair as much advance notice as possible.
Cultural Care host families have access to a scheduling starter kit to facilitate this process.
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