Benefits of Au Pair Child Care for Families with Infants or Toddlers 

Are you looking for toddler or infant child care assistance? Consider hosting an au pair! Au pairs are young adults between the ages of 18 and 26 who travel to the United States to live with a host family as part of an international cultural exchange program. Au pairs typically live with their host family for one year (with the option to extend their stay for up to an additional year), providing assistance with child care responsibilities while they experience American life and culture.   

While children of all ages can benefit from an au pair, we’ve compiled some of the top reasons why au pairs are amazing for families looking for toddler and infant child care providers. 

Here are five benefits of au pairs for toddler and infant child care assistance:  

1. Language development

There are several educational benefits of hosting an au pair. Studies suggest that the more words children hear from birth, the faster their language skills, vocabulary and IQ will develop. Additionally, younger children are often quick to learn additional languages. If you au pair knows a language besides English, she can help introduce your toddler or infant to new vocabulary through sharing stories and songs from her culture. 

2. One-on-one attention

Au pairs are able to give your little ones individual attention and the support they need to reach developmental milestones like fine motor skills. Your au pair can help stimulate young minds through imaginative play, sharing songs from their culture, doing crafts together and more.  

3. Flexible toddler and infant child care assistance 

Au pairs can provide up to 45 hours of flexible, live-in child care assistance per week. Au pairs can take infants and toddlers to activities like tumble class, spend time with your little ones at the park and get your youngest ones home in time for their nap.  

4. Gain a teammate 

Your busy days can get a lot less hectic when you host an au pair! Au pairs can help simplify naptime and meal routines and provide an extra set of hands with child-related household tasks. Your au pair can help with your child’s laundry, cleaning up toys and preparing their meals and snacks. 

Have more than one child? An au pair can help you divide and conquer and spend quality time with each child. One member of your team could handle school pick up and after school activities, while the other stays at home with younger siblings during naptime. 

5. Avoid burnout

Parenting toddlers and infants can be exhausting. When you host an au pair, you gain a gift precious to parents everywhere: time. Hosting an au pair gives parents of toddlers and infants more time to shower, nap and even go on date nights. You’ll gain more energy to spend quality time with your children and enjoy family activities together. 

Infant-Qualified Au Pairs 

Did you know? As America’s first au pair program, we have set the standard for screening, selection, support and success. Au pairs who will be caring for children younger than two years old will have a minimum of 200 hours of documented experience with children under the age of two.