| Hiring an au pair is a European tradition that has | | | | home. While day care and after school programs |
| become increasingly popular here in America. An | | | | are wonderful and needed services, time and |
| Au Pair is a young person from another country | | | | again studies show that children, especially young |
| who will stay with a family and help them by | | | | children, enjoy the time they are able to be in the |
| providing in home childcare. | | | | comfortable, relaxing, and familiar environment of |
| For the au pair, they get to enjoy life in another | | | | their own home. Because an au pair lives in the |
| country, in a way that can really help them to | | | | family home, this need can be supported in a |
| authentically live a country's "life style." While the | | | | very unique way. |
| cost is usually very reasonable, the benefits of | | | | Typically au pairs are also able to provide |
| having an au pair are many. | | | | assistance with household chores such as laundry, |
| Building Relationships: | | | | grocery shopping and food preparation. This is a |
| Because an au pair resides in the home, the whole | | | | huge benefit for families because it gives parents |
| family will get to know her/him very intimately. | | | | the ability to spend more quality time with their |
| An au pair will become part of the family and can | | | | children rather than constantly worrying about |
| provide consistent support to the children. For | | | | keeping up with the house. |
| young children especially it is important that they | | | | Sharing in a Cultural Exchange: |
| are able to form a bond with their care provider, | | | | Bringing an au pair into the family creates a |
| and an au pair is able to facilitate this in a way | | | | cultural exchange for both parties. The au pair is |
| that builds a long lasting relationship. | | | | able to live and breathe the experience of living in |
| More Than Just "Day" Care: | | | | a new country and the new culture that comes |
| The Au pair is available as needed (although there | | | | along with it. But, the au pair also brings her/his |
| is generally a limit to the number of days and | | | | culture with them; traditional songs, or stories, a |
| hours each week). The au pair's primary | | | | new language, and/or special foods, all of which |
| responsibility is to care for the children, and she | | | | introduce the whole family to new things that |
| he will have their own experiences and time off | | | | they otherwise would not likely have experienced. |
| around the family's schedule. An au pair can be | | | | Hiring an au pair can be a unique and exciting way |
| available to get the children ready in the morning, | | | | to meet childcare needs for a family. The benefits |
| to take them to music lessons or soccer practice | | | | an au pair can offer both children and their |
| and can watch them in the evening if it's finally | | | | parents are great, and at the same time, a young |
| time for a special date! | | | | person from another country is given a fabulous |
| In Home Care: | | | | opportunity to explore the world! |
| An Au Pair cares for the children in their own | | | | |