| An "Au Pair" is an international student between | | | | of business) off per month. |
| the ages of 18 - 26 who comes to spend as little | | | | Since they can care for up to four children, |
| as three months up to two years to live with an | | | | families with two or more children in daycare or |
| American family and provide childcare in exchange | | | | aftercare are often spending more money on |
| for the opportunity to live in the U.S. For families | | | | those programs than this option. |
| with two or more children in daycare, it can be a | | | | What are the advantages? |
| more flexible, less expensive alternative. | | | | Au Pairs can be at home with your child if he or |
| How the program works | | | | she is feverish and cannot attend a daycare or |
| Au Pairs are regulated by the U.S. State | | | | school program. They can even take the child to |
| Department and enter on J1 or "student" visas. | | | | see the physician. They can also cook for the |
| There are about a dozen agencies in the U.S. | | | | kids, clean up after the kids, and work flexible |
| which administer the program on behalf of the | | | | hours. Is it a constant challenge for you to get to |
| State Department. Using one of these agencies is | | | | your daycare before they close? The Au Pair can |
| the only legal way to utilize this process.The | | | | be scheduled to fit your needs, provided you do |
| program is classified as a foreign student | | | | not violate the 10 hours per day regulation. |
| exchange program and is intended to be a cultural | | | | Moreover, Au Pairs become a trusted member of |
| exchange. Au Pairs should become a member of | | | | the family to your kids, and not the "babysitter." |
| the family, sharing in family events, meals, and | | | | Need a date night with your spouse? The kids do |
| experiences. They have specific work rules, a | | | | not mind staying home with this caregiver |
| fixed pay program, and do attend one class per | | | | because he or she is like a big brother or sister to |
| semester while here. | | | | them. Want your kids to learn a foreign language |
| The intent of the program is not cheap or | | | | now while they are young? My children sang |
| inexpensive childcare, but to enrich the lives of | | | | German school songs and could name colors and |
| everyone involved. When done right, it is a | | | | numbers in both languages as toddlers. |
| fantastic program. | | | | Ten years later, we are still in touch with all but |
| How Much Childcare do they Provide? | | | | one of our previous Au Pairs. Having someone live |
| Au Pairs may work up to 45 hours per week/no | | | | with us turned out to be a godsend in managing |
| more than 10 hours per day. They must have at | | | | and enriching our children's activities and education. |
| least 1.5 days off per week and one full weekend | | | | It is a childcare solution that works on many |
| (that is end of business Friday until Monday start | | | | levels and one I hope you will consider! |