Monthly Archives: March 2009

Is an Au Pair Right For You?

If you are coming to this blog, chances are you are interested in the au pair program.  It is a win-win situation for many families and au pairs, but you have to make sure it is a good fit for you.

Are you…

  • looking for flexible, affordable child care?
  • comfortable with someone new living in your home?
  • able to work within the State Dept. regulations (maximum of 10 hours per day and 45 hours per week)?
  • able to clearly communicate your expectations with your child care provider?
  • planning to treat your au pair as you would want your daughter treated?
  • offering a private bedroom for the au pair?
  • interested in the cultural exchange benefits?

If you answered yes to these questions, you might make a great host parent.

If you have questions, please post them here or in the Ask Away section and we will be happy to answer.

Handling Expenses

Miscellaneous Expenses

At a recent new host family orientation, we discussed different ways to handle the little expenses that may 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 this kind of expenses.  Here are some suggestions for avoiding problems with that.

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 and cluster meetings
  • 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.

For Kids – St. Patrick's Day Game

A St. Patrick’s Day Game
Pin The Shamrock on the Leprechaun

Supplies:
Big picture of a Leprechaun
A green shamrock, for each child, with adhesive on back and their name on the front
Blindfold

How To Play: Blindfold the player, spin ‘em around and let them try to stick the shamrock where it’s supposed to go. Give a prize for the player that gets the closest.

(from Kaboose.com)

Communicate with Your Host Parents

  • Share your ideas, discuss cultural differences and ask questions if you don’t understand.
  • If you have a problem, clearly and calmly present it to your host parents.  Suggest a solution, listen and try to reach a compromise.
  • Let your host family know if language is a problem.  If you don’t understand a word, ask questions.   That one word could make a big difference in what they are trying to tell you.

Why Choose Au Pair in America?

I have found that these are some of the most common reasons host families select Au Pair in America.

EXPERIENCE

  • APIA is the first and most experienced au pair program.
  • Our Community Counselors average 9 years with APIA.
  • Our Stamford Office staff average 7 years with APIA.

SERVICE

  • Our Community Counselors get paid to provide service and support to host families and au pairs. Some other companies pay their local coordinators based on recruiting new families.

WORLDWIDE RECRUITING

  • We have the largest applicant pool in the industry, recruiting in 55 countries on 5 continents.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

  • Three different options to meet your needs: Standard Au Pairs, EduCare and Extraordinaire.

Interviewing Au Pairs – English Proficiency

When you are interviewing au pair candidates, you need to be certain that the level of English is good enough for you to communicate.  It is normally easier to communicate in person than on the phone, but don’t assume that it will be.  Be sure that you could deal with the au pair’s level of English if she arrived and it was exactly as it was on the phone.

Keep in mind that the interviewer who is evaluating the au pair’s English proficiency is probably not a native English speaker.  Therefore, his or her idea of good may not match up with yours.