This post is sponsored by Au Pair in America.
At least once a week I comment to my husband, “we just need another adult in this house!” Sure, we get date night babysitters and we have a part-time nanny for our baby a few days a week. But with four kids + school + dance + soccer + baseball + violin lessons, it seems near impossible some (most) weeks to keep up with everyone’s needs as two working parents. Not to mention keeping our house in some sort of clean, working order.
When I heard about Au Pair in America, it just made sense.
What is an au pair?
An au pair is a child care provider who lives with a host family as part of an international cultural exchange program. Au Pair in America provides flexible, dependable child care that enriches families through cultural exchange and provides less stress when your caretaker is just down the hall. An au pair’s job description will vary somewhat depending on a family’s needs but can include the following:
- waking the children
- dressing infants and toddlers
- bathing and playing with the children
- preparing meals for the children
- looking after the children’s belongings
- making the children’s beds and straightening their rooms
- doing the children’s laundry
- cleaning up the kitchen after the children eat
- straightening up the playroom once playtime is over
- driving children to and from school, appointments, or outings as requested by the host family
- and more!
This kind of child care with the added benefit of cultural exchange, feels so much more satisfying than writing that massive check to daycare.
But, what does an au pair cost?
Hosting an au pair is actually more affordable than I thought! Au Pair in America bases their rates on a 12-month program duration. They are determined per family, not per child (bonus for big families!)
The fees are broken down to include:
- A Match Processing Fee
- Annual Program Fee
- Minimum Weekly Stipend
Those fees include up to 45 hours of childcare a week. Right now for 20 hours/week for ONE child, my annual cost is MORE than the annual cost of me hosting an au pair for FOUR children! That doesn’t count additional sitters I need on weekends, sick or snow days for my whole crew. Again, the au pair program just makes sense.
Why become a host family?
Flexible and Dependable Care
Au pair agency reviews show that hosting an au pair provides the flexibility and convenience you need to simplify your life. With an au pair, you will be able to create your own child care schedule of up to 10 hours per day and up to 45 hours per week. By having your child care assistant living in your home, dealing with sick days, snow days and life’s little surprises has never been easier.
Payment Flexibility
The Extended Payment Plan that gives you the convenience of spreading out payments throughout the year, you will find that becoming a host family gives you all kinds of flexibility and convenience.
Enriching Cultural Experience
Your children will receive a global education during their most formative years, learning about the world and your au pair’s culture and customs. You will have access to the largest pool of au pairs in the world. Applicants come from nearly 60 countries on five continents and the Au Pair in American program includes a multi-tiered screening ensures that only the most exceptional and qualified au pairs are accepted. View au pairs available now.
Interested in learning more about simplifying your child care and gaining a rich cultural experience for your family?
Check out Au Pair in America today!
