In 1995 the government agency overseeing au pair programs required that all au pair agencies give a standardized orientation to each au pair before she arrives in her host family.
Au Pair in America always required an orientation starting with our very first group of au pairs that arrived in the summer of 1986.
The orientation includes 8 hours of child safety and 24 hours of child development training. A portion of the program is presented by instructors from the American Red Cross.
After au pairs arrive in their host communities they qualify for an American Red Cross scholarship as part of the ongoing training offered by Au Pair in America to help support the highest level of child care.