Families Turn to International Au Pairs to Teach Children a Second Language

Families Turn to International Au Pairs to Teach Children a Second Language

With the increasing need to prepare children to enter a global society, a growing number of American parents are demanding childcare providers who can offer their children first-hand knowledge of another culture, language and traditions. Whether it is Chinese, Spanish, German, Russian or Swedish, families across the United States are seeking childcare providers who speak a foreign language. One childcare option gaining popularity among parents is an international au pair, a live-in childcare provider who is able to teach children a second language in the home.

Why the growing interest in raising bilingual children? For children, the benefits of learning a second language range from superior problem solving skills and enhanced school performance to having a better understanding of other cultures and traditions. With growing global competition for the best jobs and admission into top-rated schools, parents also want to prepare their children for a professional career in which speaking a foreign language and cultural sensitivity are competitive advantages.

"Most experts agree children are more likely to become proficient in a foreign language if they learn the language at a young age. Choosing a bilingual caregiver who interacts with children on a daily basis is a perfect fit for parents who want to expose young children to a second language," said Melissa Fredette, Executive Vice President of Cultural Care Au Pair. "Au pairs bring great enthusiasm into the home and are excited to teach their host children about a new language, traditions, food and music-allowing children to develop an understanding of another language and culture first hand."

Au pairs live and study in the United States for one year on a J-1 cultural exchange visa in exchange for providing 45 hours of childcare per week. The U.S. Department of State regulates all au pair programs in the United States, offering parents the peace of mind that their children are in the care of a carefully screened, qualified caregiver.

Many of our local families are discovering the language learning and cultural exchange benefits of hosting an au pair. According to Fredette, "Cultural Care Au Pair has seen a sharp increase in the number of families requesting an au pair to teach their children a second language. For instance, the number of families who request Spanish-speaking au pairs has risen so dramatically that we have increased our placement of Spanish-speaking au pairs by more than 150 percent over the past two years."

Suzy Price, Local Childcare Consultant for Cultural Care, serving the Ventura Boulevard stretch from Encino to Studio City, has worked with a number of families in the past few months who want Chinese au pairs to speak the Mandarin language and share Chinese culture with the children they care for.

As a local Cultural Care Consultant, Suzy Price advises families considering an au pair to help with their live-in childcare/nanny needs. She works within the Los Angeles community and guide families through the process of choosing and welcoming an au pair into their home. She talks to interested families considering the program and helps them determine if Cultural Care Au Pair could be the right fit for them. Suzy then continues to work in supporting host families, and placed au pairs, during their program year to make it an enriching experience for both.

For More Information Contact:

Suzy Price
Local Childcare Consultant
Cultural Care Au Pair
Office:  818 646 8145
Cell: 310 908 3975
Email: suzy.price@lcc.culturalcare.com
http://sprice.aupairnews.com