Thinking Outside the 'Traditional Daycare' Box

Being Number 5 in the country is not always a good thing! 

CNN Money reported that Minnesota is the 5^th most expensive state for childcare (CNNmoney.com 9/27/11) that puts us right behind, Colorado, Hawaii, New York and Massachusetts. 

Over the past few years, families have had to come up with different ways to provide childcare. Some parents have decided that it is just easier for one parent to stay home, grandparents are providing more childcare and neighbors are sharing nannies; there are lots of ways people are trying to save. 

But one way that people could explore, that goes largely unnoticed and has been around for years, is hiring an aupair from another country to provide care for children. 

A great option for childcare has been right here the whole time. AupairCare has been assisting families with finding quality live in childcare since 1989.

Aupair is a French word meaning “on par.” The way aupairs work is, a family signs on with an aupair program and chooses the aupair that best fits their family.  There are certain rules the family must follow. The Department of State sets the rules and every aupair company must enforce them. 

Basically, an aupair is like a live-in nanny, except aupairs are from a foreign country. Aupairs can work 45 hours per week, 5 ½ days per week and get two weeks of vacation. While guidelines for having an aupair are the same regardless of the company you go with, the specific training and the aupair selection process is what sets the aupair companies apart.

AupairCare stands out when it comes to aupair agencies. Since it began in 1989, AupairCare has placed over 40,000 aupairs from different countries with families nationwide. Families can choose an aupair with specialized skills, such as the Infant Specialized Program and EVERY AupairCare aupair participates in the Safety Care Program, which means that every aupair is certified in CPR and First Aid.

Cost is always an issue, but for about $340 per week, a family can have full time live in child care. People choose aupairs for lots of reasons, but cost is a big factor.

Being the 5^th most expensive state for childcare is not a badge of honor, however, there are alternatives to “traditional” daycare. Many West metro area families have discovered the option of having an aupair. Not only is it a great alternative to daycare, but also there is a cultural component that can’t be beat. For more information on hosting an aupair go to http://www.j1visa.state.gov/programs/au-pair/ or go to http://www.aupaircare.com