Agencies serve as an intermediary between au pairs and host families. They help to screen au pairs, provide training and orientation, and navigate the visa process.
Au Pairs live as a temporary family member and provide childcare and light housework. Families should treat them as equals and not like domestic workers.
What You Need to Know About Host Families
If you’ve ever been an expert AuPair, you know that each family is different and they have their own unique way of doing things. That’s why it’s so important to communicate clearly with your host family and make sure that they understand what you need from them. For example, if your host family has a rule about curfew that isn’t what you are used to in your home country, don’t just ignore it or try to argue with them about it. Instead, ask them about it and find out why they have that rule. That might open up a conversation that helps you both better understand each other and work together well.
Besides communicating, it’s also important to make sure that you and your host family have the same expectations about childcare and housework. If you have a strong understanding of your responsibilities, you’ll be much more likely to feel comfortable and happy in your new family.
One thing that you need to be aware of is that some families treat their au pairs poorly. This isn’t a good thing, and au pair agencies should be more aggressive in kicking these families out of the program. They should also give au pairs more options if they aren’t happy with their host families.
The vast majority of families are wonderful and will provide a supportive and welcoming environment for you to live in while working as their au pair. If you have any concerns or issues, don’t hesitate to talk to your agency and they can help resolve the problem.
Having a great relationship with your host family is important, as you’ll be working with them for about a year. It’s not uncommon for au pairs to form lifelong friendships with their host families, and some even stay in touch for years or decades after they finish the program. That’s why it’s so rewarding for both parties when you have a positive and productive au pair relationship. It’s the reason so many people choose to become an au pair. It’s an amazing opportunity to connect with a new and exciting part of the world while learning about another culture.
What You Need to Know About Au Pairs
When considering whether or not to hire an au pair, it’s important to understand what these young people do for their host families. They live with the family for a set period of time and are treated like a member of the family—except they work 40-45 hours a week (the State Department regulates their working hours). They receive a generous allowance, including pocket money and vacation.
They are also paid for their work and receive healthcare coverage through their employer. Most agencies require au pairs to cover their travel expenses and this is something that should be discussed during the interview process. While there are a few exceptions, most au pairs are lovely rule-abiding people who want to do their best for the families they are placed with.
Another benefit of hiring an au pair is that many of them are incredibly bilingual and will be able to communicate with your kids in their native language. This can be an incredible gift to the children and it’s a great way for them to learn about different cultures. Studies have shown that kids who are exposed to multiple languages develop larger vocabularies and have greater working language skills.
There are some downsides to having an au pair, though. They do cost money, so you may see a rise in your utility and grocery bills. Plus, you’ll need to add them to your car insurance. Then there’s the fact that they are living in your home, which can be a big adjustment for some au pairs.
It’s also important to realize that not all au pairs are well-suited for every family, so you need to take the time to find the right match. This means interviewing them carefully and really thinking about what your family needs from an au pair before making a final decision. Then you’ll have a much better chance of finding an au pair that will be happy with her placement and you’ll be matched with a family who is right for her.
What You Need to Know About the Agency
There’s no two ways about it: Child care costs a lot. From nannies to daycare to after-school babysitters, it can add up fast.
Au pairs, on the other hand, can provide cost-effective childcare. But a lot of people don’t consider the upfront fees involved in hiring an au pair.
The au pair program is regulated by the U.S. Department of State, and it’s more than just a nanny service. An au pair is a young person from another country who comes to America for about a year to work in child care and take classes in their field of study while living with a host family. It’s kind of like a cross between a nanny and an exchange student.
In exchange for room and board, the au pair receives a weekly stipend to pay for their education and other expenses. It’s a great way for a family to get to know a young person from a different culture.
But it’s not without its pitfalls. A few families have complained about being treated poorly by au pairs, who can be demanding. And there have been a number of cases where au pairs have gone home early or dropped out altogether because of bad treatment from their hosts.
So it’s important to carefully choose an agency and make sure you understand the terms of your contract. The au pair agency should be able to answer any questions you may have, and they will be responsible for making sure your au pair gets all the documentation she needs before her arrival. The agency should also be able to assist with any childcare trainings, such as CPR and First Aid, that your au pair will need to complete before her start date.
Once your au pair is matched with you, the agency will handle booking her flights and securing a visa before she arrives at your home. It’s also the agency’s responsibility to ensure your au pair has a safe, comfortable bedroom that meets program guidelines (it should be at least 9 square meters and have a lockable door).
Then there are all the things that will happen once she does arrive in the United States, such as preparing for her duties, creating a daily working schedule and writing up any household rules with you. She will likely have to get a background check as well, and you may want to talk to her about getting a health insurance policy for herself.
What to Expect
The au pair program is unique in that it provides both parties with mutual benefits. Au pairs live with a host family and share their culture with the children, while families benefit from having help around the house. During their stay, au pairs receive pocket money and board and lodging in exchange for their childcare and household duties. They also have the opportunity to experience American family life firsthand and make lasting friendships with their hosts.
As the au pair economy has grown, so has pressure for reforms to improve worker protections. However, instituting strict labor laws may jeopardize the cultural exchange aspect of the program by turning au pairs into solely child care workers. “It would be a big mistake to go too far with the new rules,” says Alex Nowrasteh, an economic policy analyst at the libertarian think tank Cato Institute and former host parent. “If you create a system where au pairs are essentially just child care, that’s going to push them out of the program.”
Many aspiring au pairs and host families turn to au pair agencies because they offer a more streamlined application process with less hassle. There are online services that allow a family to match au pairs and host families independently, but they tend to cost more than a traditional agency.
While each agency works a little differently, Quinn notes that most provide full support for au pairs and host families through the application process and matching as well as during the au pair’s stay at the host family’s home. Agencies also have Area Directors who are local staff members who can help au pairs and host families with problems that arise throughout their time together.
Most agencies charge an initial fee to help match au pairs and host families. After that, most families pay for the au pair’s stipend and education reimbursement and provide other expenses like housing, food, and transportation. In addition, most agencies have a service level agreement that guarantees au pairs and host families with access to 24/7 support.
For many American families, having an au pair can be a major adjustment. There’s a learning curve for both parties. Families must learn how to work with a young adult and set boundaries for their time at home, such as limiting overnight guests or requiring that au pairs not drink or smoke while on duty.
