| If the schedule restrictions and caregiver ratios of | | | | The program is a hybrid cultural exchange |
| traditional daycare facilities are not quite what you | | | | education/childcare support which brings |
| are seeking in childcare for your little ones, an Au | | | | international college age students to the U.S. for |
| Pair might be the perfect solution for you. Often | | | | up to two years to live with a family, perfect |
| confused with traditional nannies, Au Pairs offer a | | | | their English, and attend some school. While it is |
| unique relationship to most families. Here are three | | | | possible to find candidates who have medical, |
| critical differences: | | | | teaching, or counseling backgrounds, most offer |
| One - Cost | | | | extensive babysitting experience as opposed to |
| Wage differences are substantial, but not the only | | | | formal childcare training. |
| variable that makes an Au Pair a much more | | | | Three - Relationship |
| affordable option for most families. Since he or | | | | While a nanny is an employee (and may or may |
| she lives with you under a cultural exchange | | | | not live with you), an Au Pair comes to the U.S. |
| program, the cost of their room and board is | | | | to become a member of your family for the time |
| considered part of their wage. They can work up | | | | they are here. As such, the relationship naturally |
| to 45 hours per week for the $195.75 weekly | | | | takes on a less formal, more enriching role. Just |
| stipend. (Both type of agencies charge a fee for | | | | as the he or she benefits from the exposure to |
| their services, so weekly pay is not the only | | | | American culture and opportunities, your family will |
| cost.) | | | | benefit from the sharing of their background and |
| While a traditional nanny must be paid at least | | | | knowledge. My toddlers could count and recognize |
| minimum wage (and good luck finding someone | | | | colors in both German and English - not something |
| willing to work for that amount), they must also | | | | I could have taught them. |
| receive time-and-a-half for more than forty hours | | | | The relationship is likely to last a lifetime. Ten |
| a week. In addition, you are required to calculate, | | | | years later, we still exchange emails and |
| file, and pay Social Security, Income, and | | | | Christmas presents with our first Au Pair, who is |
| Workman's Comp taxes quarterly. The hassle | | | | now married and a mother herself. |
| alone adds to the cost. | | | | If the idea of personalized childcare in your own |
| Two - Experience | | | | home appeals to you, please consider hosting an |
| A true "nanny" is likely to possess some type of | | | | Au Pair. For more information on how it really |
| childcare giver certification that may include first | | | | works, please sign up to receive my |
| aid, special needs training, or other advanced | | | | complimentary ten-page Insider Report on the |
| childcare education. The same is not true for all | | | | authorized Au Pair program in the U.S. |
| Au Pair candidates. | | | | |