Childcare Best Practices
Practical tips to help au pairs provide safe, stimulating, and nurturing care. Whether you are looking after a baby or a school-age child, these guidelines will help you build confidence and create positive routines.
Age-Appropriate Activities
Children thrive when activities match their developmental stage. Here are ideas for every age group you might care for.
Babies (0–12 months)
- ✓ Tummy time to build core strength
- ✓ Sensory play with textured toys
- ✓ Reading board books aloud
- ✓ Singing nursery rhymes and lullabies
Toddlers (1–3 years)
- ✓ Outdoor play — sand, water, climbing
- ✓ Arts & crafts with finger paint
- ✓ Building with blocks and stacking cups
- ✓ Pretend play and dress-up
Preschool (3–5 years)
- ✓ Puzzles and matching games
- ✓ Painting and drawing
- ✓ Simple cooking — mixing, pouring, decorating
- ✓ Alphabet and number games
School-age (6–12 years)
- ✓ Homework help and reading together
- ✓ Sports — swimming, cycling, ball games
- ✓ Creative projects — crafts, science experiments
- ✓ Board games and outdoor adventures
Daily Routine Tips
Children feel safe and secure when they know what comes next. A consistent daily routine reduces anxiety, minimises tantrums, and helps everyone — including you — have a smoother day. Adapt this sample schedule to your family's needs.
Nutrition Basics
Healthy Snack Ideas
- ✓ Sliced fruit — banana, apple, berries, watermelon
- ✓ Veggie sticks with hummus or cream cheese
- ✓ Yoghurt with granola or fruit
- ✓ Whole-wheat crackers with cheese
- ✓ Peanut butter on rice cakes (check allergies first)
- ✓ Boiled eggs
- ✓ Popcorn (age 4+ to avoid choking risk)
Hydration
Offer water regularly throughout the day — children often forget to drink. Avoid sugary juices and fizzy drinks. For babies, breast milk or formula provides enough hydration; introduce water from around 6 months.
Allergy Awareness
Always ask parents about food allergies and intolerances on your first day. Common allergens include nuts, dairy, eggs, wheat, and soy. Read labels carefully. Know where allergy medication is kept and how to use it.
First Aid Essentials
Every au pair should know basic first aid. Ask your host family to show you where the first aid kit is on day one. Consider taking a paediatric first aid course — it is a valuable qualification that families look for.
Choking
Learn back blows (babies) and abdominal thrusts (children over 1). Stay calm, act fast, and call for help if the object does not dislodge.
Burns
Run cool (not ice-cold) water over the burn for at least 20 minutes. Do not apply butter, toothpaste, or ice. Cover loosely with cling wrap and seek medical attention for serious burns.
Falls
Check for consciousness, breathing, and visible injury. Apply ice to bumps. If the child is unresponsive, vomits, or seems confused, call emergency services immediately.
Allergic Reactions
Know each child's allergies and where their medication is kept. For severe reactions (swelling, difficulty breathing), administer an EpiPen if available and call 10177.
When to Call Emergency Services
Call 10177 (ambulance) or 10111 (police) for unconsciousness, severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, suspected poisoning, or any situation where you feel the child's life is at risk.
Emergency Numbers
Ambulance: 10177 | Police: 10111 | Poison Helpline: 0861 555 777
Managing Screen Time
Screen-Free Alternatives
- ✓ Build a blanket fort
- ✓ Have a treasure hunt around the house or garden
- ✓ Bake something together
- ✓ Play a board game or card game
- ✓ Go for a walk and collect leaves or interesting stones
- ✓ Listen to an audiobook or podcast together
Handling Difficult Behaviour
Every child tests boundaries — it is a normal part of development. How you respond shapes their behaviour long-term. Here are proven strategies.
Use positive reinforcement
Praise specific good behaviour ("I love how you shared your toys") rather than only correcting bad behaviour. Children repeat what gets attention.
Stay calm
When a child acts out, take a breath before responding. Your calm sets the emotional tone. Shouting escalates — a firm, quiet voice de-escalates.
Be consistent
Apply the same rules and consequences every time. Inconsistency confuses children and makes boundaries harder to enforce.
Offer choices
Instead of demands, offer two acceptable options: "Would you like to tidy up now or after your snack?" This gives children a sense of control.
Validate feelings
"I can see you're frustrated" helps a child feel heard. You can acknowledge the emotion while still setting the boundary.
Never use physical discipline
Physical punishment is harmful and illegal in South Africa under the Children's Act. Use time-outs, loss of privileges, or natural consequences instead.
These guidelines are for general information. Always follow the specific instructions of your host family and consult a healthcare professional for medical concerns.