Too sick for school or activities
Babies vomit, flu happens, ears get infected and skin itches. For an au pair, a sick child needs some extra special care. A sick child might require a visit to the doctor. Or an au pair might need to take an extra trip to the supermarket or pharmacy.
Children pass germs to each other very easily, which means they get sick a lot. If you are caring for school-age children, be prepared for some stay at home sick days. This could mean last minute changes to your schedule or that any daytime plans you made need to be rescheduled. If you are used to having one child at home during the day, another child staying home sick will mean some added responsibilities.
Whether a child is sick enough to stay home from school or activities can depend on a few things. If you are unsure, of course ask your host parents. But if speaking with your host parents is not possible, be prepared to make the decision. Having conversations with your host parents in advance will help you understand how to best care for their children.
Caring for a sick child is a time to be as flexible as possible. Just like we mentioned before, it could mean last minute changes or extra duties. The most important thing is that the children are well cared for. But no matter what, there should never be an instance where you are required to work longer than the required limit of 10 hours per day or 45 hours per week. Tell your LCC if this happens. But know that you can also speak to your host parents to remind them that you cannot work longer than 45 hours per week.