Monthly Archives: February 2017

Handling Expenses

Host parents often ask for suggestions on how best to handle common expenses that occur as au pairs are caring for the children.

Miscellaneous Expenses

There are different ways to handle the little day to day expenses that come up.  Things like when an au pair takes the kids out for ice cream or picks up a gallon of milk.  Some families keep a cookie jar fund, a little cash that they set aside weekly or monthly for these types of expenses. Others give their au pair a prepaid debit card for this purpose. Below are some suggestions for avoiding problems with expenses.

Host Families

  • It’s important to be clear about how long this money should last and what types of expenses are approved.
  • Let the au pair know whether or not you expect receipts.

Au Pairs

  • Only spend the money on approved expenses.
  • If it is something you are not sure about, ask first.
  • Put your receipts in the cookie jar in place of the money to avoid any confusion.

Gas and Fare Cards 

Host families are responsible for the au pair’s transportation costs: to and from classes, cluster meetings and when driving the kids.

It is a good idea to figure out how much gas an au pair will use for these trips and either put gas in the car or give a gas allowance.   If your au pair is riding to classes or cluster meetings with another au pair, you should offer to share the cost of gas.

Au pairs are responsible for their own transportation at all other times.  You should replace the amount of gas used for personal use.

Photo: Andrea Travillian

Educational Requirements

Educational Requirements

All au pairs must complete 80 hours of APIA-approved educational classes.  Your host family contributes $500 towards each of the three classes which are described below.

1.  Community Colleges – they charge about $700 per 3-credit class.  You may take any class you like. Examples are:  Saddleback, Irvine Valley, Orange Coast, Santiago.

2. UCLA Au Pair Class – This is an online class and is free to au pairs because the HF pays $500 for it.  After the au pair completes both the online and community involvement sections, she will earn six credits towards completion of her educational requirements.

The next UCLA class runs from April 7 – August 14, 2017.

It is focused on American History and is designed for a more serious student .  There are weekly assignments as well as a community involvement piece which requires au pair participation and to document a global awareness presentation, volunteering and other cultural or historical activiities during the course.

To register, go to:  http://humanities.uclaextension.edu/amer-studies-online

3.  Weekend College – enroll in the Alliant International University Au Pair Program – American Dreams A & B.  Cost is about $515 for the class but there are additional costs for for lodging, transportation and meals.  The college is in San Diego and the class meets only on certain weekends.