15 Au Pair Skills for Your Career and Resume

Au pairs are live-in caregivers who provide child care and perform other household duties for a host family. Being an au pair requires a variety of skills, from child care and cooking to cleaning and budgeting. If you’re interested in becoming an au pair, it’s important to understand the skills that are necessary for the job.

Transportation

Transportation skills are important for an au pair to have, as they may need to drive the children in their care to and from school or activities. It’s also helpful if you plan on traveling with your host family during vacations, as you’ll likely need to drive them to their destination.

You can develop transportation skills by learning how to drive a car, motorcycle or other vehicle. You can also practice driving with a friend who has experience driving.

Running Errands

As an au pair, you may be responsible for running errands for your host family. This can include picking up groceries or other items from the store and bringing them home. It’s important to have a good sense of direction so that you can find your way around town. You should also know how to drive a car if necessary.

You might also be asked to run small tasks for members of your host family, such as taking their dry cleaning to the cleaners or dropping off mail at the post office.

Organization

Organization is the ability to keep track of and prioritize tasks. As an au pair, you may be responsible for managing household chores, planning activities with children and preparing meals. Having strong organizational skills can help you stay on top of your responsibilities and ensure that everyone in the home is happy.

You can practice organization by keeping a to-do list or calendar where you record all of your daily tasks. You can also try to plan ahead so you know what needs to get done before certain events or holidays.

Meal Preparation

A large part of an au pair’s job is meal preparation. This includes cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner for the entire family as well as preparing snacks or light meals throughout the day. It’s important that you have a variety of skills in the kitchen so you can prepare healthy and delicious meals for your host family. You may also be responsible for grocery shopping and meal planning.

Creativity

A creative mind can help you come up with fun activities for your charges. You might also use your creativity to make crafts or other projects that the children in your care will enjoy. Creativity is important because it allows you to think of new ways to engage and interact with the children, which can lead to a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Safety

Safety is an important skill for any au pair to have. This is because they may be responsible for supervising children, who are often very young and can’t take care of themselves. It’s the responsibility of the au pair to ensure that everyone stays safe at all times. They should also know how to react in emergency situations so that they can keep their charges out of harm’s way.

Childcare

Childcare skills are important for an au pair to have, as they may be responsible for caring for children while the parents are at work. Au pairs often take care of children by playing with them and helping them learn new things. Having these skills can help an au pair feel comfortable taking care of other people’s children.

Patience

Patience is a skill that can help you be an effective au pair. You may need to work with children who have special needs or those who are very young and still learning how to interact with others. Being patient can allow you to better understand the needs of your charges and provide them with guidance as they grow. It can also help you when working with other adults, such as parents or supervisors, who may not always agree with you.

Communication

Communication is the ability to convey information clearly and concisely. As an au pair, you may need to communicate with your host family about various topics, including household rules, schedules, activities and any issues that arise. It’s important to be able to explain yourself in a way that others can understand. This skill also helps you when communicating with children, as it allows you to relay instructions or answer questions effectively.

Problem Solving

Problem solving is the ability to identify and resolve issues. As an au pair, you may need to solve problems that arise with children or in your work environment. For example, if a child has a tantrum, you might be able to calm them down by identifying their needs and finding ways to meet those needs. You can also use problem-solving skills when trying to find solutions to challenges at work, such as how to entertain a group of children during a rainy day.

Housekeeping

Housekeeping skills are important for an au pair to have because they often take care of the home and children of their host family. This means that they need to be able to clean up after themselves, as well as keep the house tidy so that it’s comfortable for everyone living there.

Being a good housekeeper can also help you when taking care of your host family’s children. For example, if you’re babysitting while the parents are out, you may want to make sure that the house is clean before they get back so that they don’t worry about any messes.

First Aid

First aid skills are important for any caretaker, especially if you work with children. You may need to treat minor injuries or illnesses and know how to react appropriately. For example, if a child has an allergic reaction, you should be able to recognize the symptoms and administer treatment.

You can take classes in first aid through organizations like the American Red Cross or St. John’s Ambulance. Many employers also require au pairs to complete a certain number of hours of training each year.

Scheduling

Scheduling is the ability to plan and manage time effectively. As an au pair, you may be responsible for planning your own schedule as well as that of your host family. You should also have the ability to create a weekly or monthly calendar with specific tasks and activities listed so everyone involved understands what needs to be done when.

Laundry

Laundry is a necessary skill for an au pair to have. You may be responsible for washing and drying the linens, towels and clothing of your host family as well as your own. This can help you save money while working abroad and also show that you are responsible and capable.

You should also know how to iron so that you can keep your work attire neat and tidy. It’s important to remember that many cultures consider it rude to wear wrinkled clothing, so knowing how to iron can help you make a good impression on others.

Flexibility

Flexibility is the ability to adapt to change. As an au pair, you may need to be flexible with your schedule and duties. Your host family might have a change in plans or unexpected events that require you to alter your routine. Being able to adjust quickly can help you maintain a positive attitude and keep everyone happy.

Being flexible also means being willing to try new things. You may not know what activities are available in your community before arriving, so it’s important to be open to trying new experiences.

How Can I Learn These Au Pair Skills?

There are a few ways to learn the necessary skills to be an au pair. One way is to take classes offered by community colleges or online. These classes will give you the opportunity to learn about child development, safety, and first aid. You can also find many resources online that can help you learn about the different aspects of being an au pair. Another way to learn the necessary skills is to have experience working with children in some capacity. This could be through babysitting, nannying, or working at a daycare. This experience will give you a chance to see what it is like to care for children on a daily basis and will help you to develop the necessary skills.