The Nanny is quite a step up from a babysitter. The Nanny can have various duties and they include but are not limited to: meal prep, bath time, tutoring, driving to and from school/music lessons/sporting events and practices, and play time. Like any job, a Nanny has a regular schedule anywhere from M-F, 8am-5pm or just every other day. But at the end of her shift she goes home to her own life, just like any other job. The Au Pair is quite different.
Before I go any further, let me state that these are GENERAL rules for an Au Pair. Each host family is different and unfortunately many break the "rules" and abuse their Au Pairs. This is why there are agencies to help both Au Pairs and Host Families. It is a very delicate situation and protection is often needed on both ends.
Now, the Au Pair is different from the Nanny for many different reasons. First, an Au Pair often comes from a different country than his/her Host Family. Families who are willing to hire an Au Pair usually do so because they want their children to be exposed to other languages and cultures, and it is usually difficult to find someone diverse enough to fulfill this in your own country, no matter where you are from. Most, if not all, countries have specific Visa requirements for Au Pairs because it is a great opportunity to experience a new culture and it is very common. A lot of people do it illegally but I won't go into that right now. I can promise you that if you go this route your Host Family will abuse you and your work ethic. There is a reason they are skipping the paperwork: they can make you do whatever they want for however little money they want and you cannot complain.
Anyway, an Au Pair is different from a Nanny because the Au Pair often lives with the Host Family. If not, the family is to arrange (aka pay) for other housing for the Au Pair. The Au Pair is supposed to be treated like another member of the family by partaking in the meals, access to the TV, and basically anything everyone else in the household has access to. The Au Pair often has his/her own quarters of the house with his/her own bedroom, bathroom and sometimes a private entrance. I have seen ads for Au Pairs where he/she would be required to sleep in the same room with the children and all I have to say to that is, "hell to the no!" You could not pay me enough for that. Not even Mary Poppins shared a room with Jane and Michael. Not. Gonna. Happen.
If transportation is part of the Au Pair's duties then the Host Family should provide the means. Either the Au Pair uses one of the parent's cars, he/she is given his/her own car, or his/her public transportation fare is covered by the Host Family. Unless, of course, you are Mary Poppins and you can use le parapluie!
An Au Pair is typically paid less than a Nanny but that is simply because the Au Pair's room and board is covered. The Host Family should provide housing, food, transportation, etc. When you add it all up, the pay is well worth it. At least it is in my opinion. An Au Pair does not pay for rent, utilities, groceries, or any other basic living needs. The Au Pair only has to pay for his/her personal things such as partying, new clothing, etc.
An Au Pair also gets to travel with the family as if he/she is family. Meaning that the Au Pair does not pay for their flight(s), meals, tickets to events with the family, etc. Sweet deal, if you ask me!
The Au Pair typically has the same daily duties as a Nanny would, but since the Au Pair often lives with the family he/she can easily be taken advantage of and made to do much more than the he/she is being paid to do. The biggest difference between and Au Pair and a Nanny is that the Au Pair is to be both family AND and employee. It is a very delicate balance to maintain for all parties involved. When handled appropriately its a dream job! If mistreated it can be a dangerous nightmare. Either way, it is not for the faint of heart.
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