Constant turnover at daycare centers, safety concerns, and the preference for children to be cared for in their own home are a few of the many reasons many families are looking at an au pair arrangement for child care. There are pros and cons to be considered, and the cost is certainly more than at a traditional daycare center, but the rewards can be worth it if the au pair and family hit it off well. The hardest part is that you still have to say goodbye to an au pair between one and two years.
Is An Au Pair the Child Care Solution for Your Family?
From Robin McClure, About.com GuideNovember 6, 2009
Explore Child Care
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We’ve had many au pairs and it’s a great flexible childcare solution that has worked very well for our family. With three children the cost of day care is not an option for us.
We’ve found the au pairs ourselves on the Internet so that saves on agency fees. A good site to use is http://www.nannygps.com
I strongly advise to always use one of the 12 legal AU PAIR agencies in the USA when trying to match with an au pair from overseas. They can provide a J-1 visa for her. Otherwise you run a greater risk of the au pair walking out on you.
The whole au pair matching process can be stressful, it’s daunting for a lot of host families.
But the rewards all the more greater when you can welcome a good au pair into your home. Live-in inhome childcare cannot be beaten when it comes the the exposure to bacteria, diseases and turn-over in a daycare center.
Au pair are still a cost effective childcare solution compared to ‘American’ nannies. An the 10 hours/day and 45 hours/week provide a lot of flexibility to host parents and light housework, including picking up after the kids is a big help to busy moms.
If you would like ACTIVE support and advice from a lead community counselor through the entire matching process, please visit our website at http://www.aupairselectionadvice.net.
We help you cover your bases, enabeling you to find a good fit for your family. Our services include to pre-select au pairs, indentifying red flags, phone interviewing, setting expectations during the interview process already, preparing for your au pair’s arrival, getting a written schedule, including some chores and rules ready. AND active support after her arrival, during the ‘getting to know phase’.
Our support will increase your likelyhood of having a good solid host family / au pair relationship.