728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Child Care › On Par with Au Pairs

On Par with Au Pairs

Is This Childcare Option for You?

By Hilory Wagner

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

A great place to start your search, and learn even more about the au pair programs, is at the U.S. State Department Web site. Here you'll find a listing of approved programs with contact information for each agency.

Are Au Pairs Right for You?
Hosting an au pair requires commitment, planning, dedication and a certain household atmosphere. Here are a few points to keep in mind when determining whether the fit is right for you.

    baby
  • Hosting an au pair allows your children to learn about other parts of the world and cultural differences. Parents, too, have the opportunity to broaden their knowledge of the world and differing societies. And although au pairs must be proficient in spoken English, they may be able to expose children to their native tongues.
  • Au pairs offer the convenience of live-in childcare help, but remember that their hours do have limitations.
  • Au pairs usually have local, agency-based support, or counselors, available to them for advice, networking with other au pairs, and social and cultural activity planning throughout the year.
  • You have another adult in the house to share bathrooms, mealtimes and so on. Be sure you are prepared for this addition and that there's ample room.
  • You may be required to provide a vehicle for the au pair, as well as auto insurance coverage.
  • Inevitably, your au pair will have to leave you at the end of 12 months (a J-1 visa condition).

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

Want to see more?

Comments

Found 3 comments
Displaying all 3 comments below

Re: On Par with Au Pairs by mv on 09/24/2009 12:50AM

Au pairs certainly are a great in-home childcare solution. One-on-one childcare by an au pair from overseas offers a culturally enriching experience for your children. It is also important to prepare yourself for an au pair. To do you 'homework'. Knowing how to interview an au pair, how to set expectations during the interview process already, how to prepare an "au pair handbook/manual", and how to do effective communication are all important components for a successful au pair match. For advice from a lead community counselor with over 14 years of experience, please visit www.aupairselectionadvice.net. A website dedicated to providing advice and support to host parents, and to a smaller degree to au pairs as well. One happy match at a time. MV Lead Community Counselor Au Pair Selection Advice www.aupairselectionadvice.net

Re: On Par with Au Pairs by kj247@comcast.net on 07/09/2009 11:04PM

I have tried both home daycare and the au pair program and I would definitely say that the au pair is the way to go! We are a host family with Cultural Care Au Pair. We started with Cultural Care when my youngest was 3 months old and we have hosted 5 au pairs from Germany, Russia and Columbia and there is no childcare like it! As full time working parents, not only is it affordable for us (we pay an average of $320 a week for 2 children), we truly enjoy live-in childcare and the flexibility of the au pair hours, as we set our own hours which include weekend nights and several date nights a month. Also the cultural experience that my children receive is wonderful…..my children get a “new big sister” to play with, they are learning new languages and we get to try foods from 3 different countries! For our family – having an au pair has been the best and rewarding option. Kj247@comcast.net

Re: On Par with Au Pairs by anonymous on 07/09/2009 02:30PM

I hosted 2 au pairs from Germany and had a great experience. I used Cultural Care Au Pair and would highly recommend them. The staff at Cultural Care are very informed and patient.

add a comment.

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.