Definition of an au pair
An au pair is a single person aged between 17-27 (inclusive) without dependants, who comes to the UK to improve his/her English and lives for up to two years as a member of an English speaking family. The au pair helps in the house for a maximum of 5 hours per day, with at least two full days off per week (generally weekends).
Typical au pair duties are: taking and collecting from school, simple cooking for the children, bathing children and putting them to bed, playing with the children, general tidying up after the children, washing up, vacuum cleaning, dusting, ironing.
In return she is provided with her own room, full board and a reasonable allowance (no less than £55 per week as advised by the Immigration Office rules). An au pair is not a domestic servant, but helps with childcare, baby-sitting (maximum of two per week) and light housework. An au pair must be allowed adequate time to study, attend English classes and religious services, should she/he choose to do so.

Nationals of the European Economic Area countries can enter the United Kingdom to work or study without any restrictions.

Au pairs usually leave families if they feel they are being overworked and taken for granted. It is in the interest of a host family to work out the schedule in the form of a written plan and then stick to it.