Irene homes come with space: big gardens, perhaps a pool, a neighbour’s horse over the fence. Your children love it. It also means the most important thing your new au pair learns on day one isn’t your timetable.
Most families brief the schedule first and the risks later, if at all. When you’re hiring an au pair in Irene, reverse that order.
What an Au Pair Actually Does
An au pair is a childcare partner who supports your family’s daily rhythm. She isn’t a cleaner and she isn’t a full-time teacher. Her job is the children.
Typically, that includes:
- School runs and getting children to activities on time
- Afternoon care, including snacks, play and homework help
- Routine support at mealtimes, bath time and bedtime
- Engaging time with the children that isn’t a screen
Many families also ask about an au pair versus a nanny. A nanny usually brings more formal, long-term childcare experience. An au pair is often a better fit when you want an energetic, flexible presence who grows into your routine. You can read more about their differences here.
Why space changes the job
A small flat is easy to supervise. A large property isn’t. Children can be out of sight in seconds, and the hazards (water, gates, animals, garden tools) are real even when the setting feels safe. That doesn’t mean you should worry.
It means you should be deliberate.
The three-zone safety briefing (Our Expert Framework)
Before you go through the daily routine, walk her around the property and name three zones:
- Water: Pool, dam, fountains, even a full bath. Who may be near them, and when?
- Edges: Gates, boundary walls, driveways and roads. Where can the children go unsupervised,
and where not? - Animals and tools: Dogs, horses next door, garden equipment, braai areas
For each zone, agree one clear rule and one clear action if the rule is broken. Here’s the counter-intuitive bit. Ask a candidate to do this walk-through with you during the interview.
The good ones ask questions, notice hazards you forgot and treat the briefing seriously. That tells you
more than any reference.
What to Check Before You Say Yes
Whoever you choose, you should be able to answer yes to each of these:
- Identity and police clearance have been verified
- Experience with children has been seen in practice, not just claimed
- Water-safety awareness has been discussed, if you have a pool or dam
- Accommodation or travel arrangements are sorted
- Estate access is organised
At Kith, we handle the vetting, which includes ID verification, police clearance and a practical session with children. Our au pairs also complete training through the Kith Academy.
How to Brief Your Au Pair in the First Week
- Do the Three-Zone walk-through on day one
- Show her one full day, start to finish
- Agree how you’d like to be updated
- Book a short check-in at the end of week one, and again at month one
Frequently asked questions
Ready to Find Your Au Pair?
The right au pair doesn’t just fill a gap in your diary. She gives your family back its peace of mind. Join Kith and we’ll match you with a vetted, trained au pair who fits your home.
Want to see exactly how it works for Irene? Read about our Au Pair in Irene service
If you’d like a younger, more flexible helper instead, our guide to hiring a nanny in Irene explains how to hire for the handover, not just the CV ourselves.
