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Parents exploring in-home childcare options often use the terms "nanny" and "au pair" interchangeably. True, both types of caregivers watch your children in the comfort of your household, and both often earn a special place in your heart and family life. In many cases, though, that's where the similarities end.
Choosing to host an au pair is much more than a childcare decision. It's a choice to welcome a young girl from another country. It means learning about other customs, traditions and cultures, and perhaps discovering more about your own. It's about sharing the intricacies of your day-to-day life with someone, and in doing so, enriching her life and yours.
"Au pair" translates to "on par" or "as an equal," suggesting the role she is expected to take on within your home. |
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In fact, "au pair" translates to "on par" or "as an equal," suggesting the role she is expected to take on within your home. A nanny, while often an extremely close part of a family, is an employee. The au pair program was not created for these visitors to "work," as much as to trade caregiving services for room, board and the opportunity to explore our country, to gain insight into American lives.
But the choice to host an au pair shouldn't be taken lightly. It's a commitment with its own rules and even federal regulations.
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
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
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.
Content provided on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be construed to be medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Click here for additional information.
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