Neighbor News
Myths and Facts About Hosting an Au Pair
Find out what it's really like to welcome an au pair into you home and heart!
Many families struggle with childcare choices every day. It can be a challenging task -many parents spend hours researching available alternatives and seeking recommendations from family and friends. There are several options to choose from and many aspects to consider - the au pair program, is actually quite straightforward and provides the flexible, affordable, quality childcare that many parents are looking for.
What is an au pair? The translation of “au pair” is “on par” or equal, based on the idea that an au pair becomes like a member of the family. Au pairs are young adults, from 18 to 26, that arrive in the U.S. on a J-1 Cultural Exchange Visa. They typically come for one year, but can extend their stay for up to two years.
Myth: Au pairs are for the rich and famous. Fact:Au pairs are not just for the wealthy. The average monthly cost is just $1,571 for 45 hours per week of childcare - per family, not per child! Host families come from all walks of life, with dual working parents and single parents, and have a wide range of occupations with both traditional and non-traditional work schedules.
Find out what's happening in Danvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Myth: Au pairs work 9-5 and don’t want to work nights and weekends. Fact: Au pairs are carefully screened and understand that flexibility and working up to 45 hours per week and 10 hours per day is a requirement of the program. Parents customize au pair childcare according to their schedule and, unlike a nanny or daycare center whose service is typically based on a set schedule, an au pair works when parents need them.
Myth: Au pairs only provide childcare. Fact: Unlike daycare or a babysitter, an au pair can perform all household duties associated with children - they can clean a playroom, prepare and clean up after meals, do children’s laundry, make the children’s beds and organize their toys and closets. Au pairs can also teach the children another language or two!
Find out what's happening in Danvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Myth: Anyone can be an au pair. Fact: The au pair program is regulated by the Department of State - all candidates must have significant childcare experience and complete a thorough application. During the screening process, au pairs are interviewed, tested on English competency, take a personality profile survey, submit a criminal background check and provide personal and professional references. At Cultural Care Au Pair, this screening is conducted by staff in our own overseas offices and not through the use of third-party agents – like all of the other au pair agencies use.
Myth: Once an au pair arrives, parents are all alone in making it work. Fact: Au pair programs like Cultural Care Au Pair provide ongoing personalized support throughout the year. Local Childcare Consultants (LCCs) maintain monthly contact with host families and provide a social outlet for the au pairs in the area by hosting monthly meetings. A member of the staff is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week and Cultural Care has an active on-line community that provides answers and advice from other host families, local consultants and veteran staff.
Please contact ME directly for personalized attention and more information about welcoming an au pair into your home and your heart - I’m here to help!
Nicole Biondi, Au Pair Consultant (and local mom of 3!)
