What is the difference between an au-pair and a nanny?

~ According to the USIA:  Nannies are child care providers who are paid for their expertise and experience and they are employees of the family for whom they work. Au pairs, on the other hand, are participants in a USIA exchange program. Au pairs provide up to 45 hours of child care per week as part of their responsibility to their host family and are considered members of the family, NOT employees. They are required to attend classes while in the US and must return to their country after one year.  They also must be under 26 years of age and must acquire a J1 Visa in order to come to the US as an Au Pair.

 

 

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Why do some parents choose Au-Pairs?

Here is one parents view " I did not want to become an employer. No time, talent, desire to handle taxes, FICA, medical insurance, unemployment, etc.  I have a very funky schedule. Needed a form of childcare that could flex with my schedule and I enjoy meeting other cultures. I wanted my son to do the same."

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Where do I find an Au-Pair?

~ There are several agencies approved by the USIA (the governing body that regulates the au pair program). Do a search on the Net for au pair agencies. Talk with others that may have hosted one.

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What are the pros and cons of hiring an Au-Pair?

Pros:
Wonderful experience. The au pair becomes a member of your family. I find my au pair to be something between a friend, sister, and daughter. I have enjoyed her company immensely over the past year.

In home child care. My son has not been sick one day since I took him out of a daycare center and into our home with our au pair.

Affordable. The placement fee, weekly stipend, etc. were no more expensive than my daycare center was on an annual basis. Yes, there are "hidden" expenses (additional food for the person living in your home, utilities being used during the day, a car and insurance if you choose to provide).

Cons:
They can only stay 13 months. You get very attached to this person living in your home (so does your child!) and then they have to leave.

Not all agencies are the same. Some are peddling flesh for a fee. Some are truly trying to make a good match.

If you get a bad match, you have to go through the process again. Since you do rely on your au pair for childcare, you can suffer a great inconvenience if you have to get another (days lost from work, frustration, etc.)

Cultural and Language differences.  When interviewing your Au Pair make sure you are able to communicate effectively.  If you are unable to understand her or vice versa, you may encounter a lot of difficulties in giving directions to her on a daily basis. 

 

 

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What kind of childcare experience and training do Au-Pairs have?

~ This can vary greatly. It depends on your child and your needs and the au pair you select. It can even depend on the agency you work with.

Many have had childcare training before they became an au pair. Some did little more than baby-sit for their own siblings or children in the neighborhood. Some have actually gone to college to study early childhood education.

Existing training or experience is supplemented by additional training given by the agency.

Before arriving at my home, my au pair attended a specially designed training program for four days in the New York area. The curriculum and workbook were developed in cooperation with The Children's Foundation, a leader in early childhood education and child care training. The course focuses on child safety and development, including topics such as: first aid; household safety; planning age-specific activities; communicating with children and building their self-esteem.

My au pair was CPR certified, a lifeguard, and worked in a daycare center in her home country. She had the same (or more) training that I had before I chose to become a mother. I figured she was qualified.

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Additional resource for Au Pair information