What is the difference between active and passive childcare duties?

Au pair responsibilities will include active and passive forms of childcare. Active childcare is when an au pair is interacting with and directly supervising a child. Passive childcare is when your children are playing independently, watching TV, or sleeping while your au pair serves as the responsible adult and/or first point of contact should the children need anything. It is important to understand the distinction while acknowledging that both are considered on-duty time in terms of tracking hours.