Job Title: Au Pair for 4-Year-Old Autistic Boy – Gardens, Cape Town
We are seeking a confident, playful, and energetic au pair to join a family and support their active, bright 4-year-old autistic child. The ideal candidate will be kind, patient, and compassionate, with a genuine enthusiasm for educational play, floor time, and outdoor activities. Using a child-led approach, they will connect with him through his interests—he loves elemental play, playing with cars, trains, trucks, and enjoys books.
Main Purpose of the job:
To be a “helping hand” for his unique and specific support needs, creating child-specific, play-based learning opportunities, and giving him the necessary guidance and support to thrive. A special interest and passion in neurodiversity and being a secure, long-term source of support are of the utmost importance.
The candidate will be trained by the NDC Facilitation Academy and thereafter receive personalised support from the facilitation coordinator for up to 4-6 weeks, working in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team based at the Neurodiversity Centre.
Job Objectives:
- Become a core member of the multi-disciplinary team to support his individualised needs.
- Help understand and accommodate his unique sensory profile and executive-functioning needs (e.g., creating and maintaining routines using visual aids).
- Assist in implementing a consistent daily and weekly routine—planning activities in advance to provide structure and predictability.
- Prepare meals and snacks tailored to his sensory needs, ensuring they fit seamlessly into his routine.
- Offer companionship and emotional-regulation support at home, and support/scaffold his self-regulation needs to reduce uncertainty and anxiety.
- Perform Day-to-Day Tasks:
- Transport him to and from playschool
- Attend therapy appointments with him
- Facilitate development through child-led play
- Support his academic/educational journey to help him reach key readiness goals for Grade R in 2026.
General Requirements:
- A valid driver’s license and reliable car – Desirable.
- Fluent in English– Essential.
Job-Related work experience:
- Previous experience in a role supporting young neurodivergent children - Essential.
- Previous experience working with younger children under 5 years old - Essential.
- Previous experience in teaching role with young children - Desirable.
Job-Related Knowledge:
- Familiarity and knowledge of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) - Essential.
- Familiarity with low arousal, child-led approach - Essential.
- DIR Floortime approach – Desirable.
Job-Related Skills:
- Ability to minimise stress and anxiety by utilising a low arousal approach - Essential.
- Strong verbal communication skills with young children and parents – Essential.
- Organisational skills, i.e., ability to implement structure, strong time management imperative - Essential.
- Social, play and life skills – Essential.
- Relationship building skills - Essential.
Benefits:
- Support and training from the NDC Facilitation Academy coordinator.
Working hours:
- Monday to Friday: 08:00 to 17:00
- Occasional babysitting (to be compensated accordingly)
Salary Range:
· R12 000 - R15 000 per month (depending on previous experience and qualifications)
Ideal starting date:
- As soon as possible.
Please email your CV to [email protected] if you are interested and feel you are suitable for this position.
Please note we will only contact applicants that have been shortlisted, thank you for your time.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: R12 000,00 - R15 000,00 per month
Application Question(s):
- Do you have any training or experience using the DIR Floortime Approach?
Experience:
- neurodivergent childcare: 1 year (Required)
- au pairing young children: 1 year (Required)
Language:
- English fluently (Required)
Work Location: In person
