Au Pair Contract and Agreement Guide
Use an au pair agreement to set expectations for duties, hours, pocket money, time off, house rules, travel, and notice.
A contract is not only paperwork. It is the shared reference point when routines change or expectations become unclear.
What to include
The agreement should describe everyday life in plain language so both sides can rely on it later.
Names, dates, address, room arrangement, and expected stay length.
Childcare duties, light tasks, working hours, free days, and pocket money.
Language study, transport, holidays, illness, travel, and notice process.
How to use it
Review the agreement during interviews and again before arrival so it does not become a rushed formality.
Discuss each clause before signing or booking travel.
Keep a copy available to both sides throughout the stay.
Update the agreement in writing if routines or duties change.
Agreement checklist
Dates and address
Duties and limits
Hours and free days
Pocket money
House rules
Notice process
Make the contract part of the matching process
Use the contract alongside interviews, requirements checks, and cost planning before confirming a match.
Contract FAQ
Is an au pair contract legally required?
Requirements vary by country, but a written agreement is strongly recommended because it records the expectations both sides accepted.
Can the agreement change after arrival?
Yes, but changes should be discussed and written down so the family and au pair share the same understanding.