Some of the most common questions we receive from potential host families are “how are au pair candidates screened” and “what type of au pair training does Au Pair in America provide?”
Au Pair in America’s multi-tiered screening process and comprehensive au pair orientation program help ensure that our host families can match with top au pair candidates.
Au Pair Screening
Au Pair in America has an extensive three-tiered screening process through our overseas and domestic offices. This process focuses on determining a candidate’s education, experience and suitability for the au pair program. Host families can review all portions of a candidate’s application.
The process begins with each candidate completing a detailed application that covers occupational history, child care experience, educational achievements, interests, hobbies and other personal information. They write an essay describing life in their home country and reasons for wanting to become an au pair in the United States. Each applicant is also required to submit photographs and/or videos showing herself with the children in her care, her family and friends.
Next, applicants are interviewed in person by a trained interviewer. During this meeting, the interviewer assesses the candidate’s suitability, ability to speak English and educational level. Additionally, all Au Pair in America applicants must pass a background investigation, which includes verification of schooling, reference checks and a criminal record check.
The final step in the interview process is a psychometric test administered by the interviewer. Au Pair in America uses the Sixteen Personality Factors (16PF) test. The 16PF test is a globally recognized, highly dependable and comprehensive measure of 16 personality traits that allow us to describe and predict a person’s behavior in a variety of contexts. The results are considered in conjunction with other documentation about the candidate, allowing us to gain a more well-rounded picture of the candidate and how the applicant might fit into an American family.
Au Pair Orientation Training
Au Pair in America provides child development and child safety training for all of our au pairs, before arrival and throughout the exchange. Our Orientation Program provides a mandatory training course to all au pairs, focused on preparing them to take on the important role of providing intercultural child care assistance in the United States. Our blended learning method combines readings, videos, quizzes and live training sessions, all focused on keeping children safe.
The Orientation program includes eight hours of child safety and 24 hours of child development training before the au pair arrives in your home. Every au pair must also take and pass a two hour child safety course through the American Red Cross. After settling into their host community, all participants are encouraged to complete an Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certification program. Au Pair in America will pay for this training through the American Red Cross.
Personal growth opportunities and child care trainings don’t stop with orientation. Throughout the program, au pairs gather for instructional sessions organized by their community counselors, focused on topics in child safety. Au Pair in America also offers dozens of webinars throughout the year on child care and cultural topics that are free for au pairs to attend – a great way to keep her skills sharp throughout her time with you.
Did you know? Au Pair in America was recently named “Best Overall Au Pair Program” by Verywell Family.
