au pairs
Live-in childminders
Au pairs are young people from foreign countries who live with host families, providing childcare and light housework in exchange for room, board, and a stipend.
The arrangement combines domestic help with cultural exchange—au pairs typically stay for a year, learning the language and customs of their host country.
From French, literally meaning "on equal terms," suggesting the au pair is treated as a family member rather than hired help.
- nanniesProfessional child caretakers
- host familyHousehold sheltering temporary guests
- live-inResiding at work
- stipendFixed regular payment
- gap yearPlanned educational hiatus
working holiday · summer job · caregivers · homestay · childminder · children · family life · room and board · child supervision · cultural exchange · infant care · child rearing · language immersion · foreign exchange · child welfare · child development · early childhood education · French
- Expatriatesexpats, emigres, permanent residents, green card holders, foreign workers
- caregiversparents, carer, mothers, fathers, mother
- family supportchildcare, eldercare, caregiving, home care, respite care
- social supervisionparenting, babysitting, chaperoning, guardianship, foster care
- domestic employmentdomestic workers, household staff, maids, nannies, housekeepers
- domestic labordomestic workers, domestic servants, domestic service, household staff, housekeepers
au pairsparents
Mother and father
mothers · fathers · grandparents · family members · relatives