Category Archives: Host Family Info

Holiday & Vacation Reminders

“Rest and be thankful.” – William Wordsworth

Holidays and vacations are a great opportunity to rest, recharge and explore the U.S.

Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of summer travel season. Here are some reminders about program rules regarding holidays and vacations.

Holidays

  • Host families are not required to give au pairs any specific holidays.
  • Each host family will make different arrangements on holidays, some au pairs will be off and others will be required to work.
  • Au pairs should not make plans for holidays without checking with your host family first.

Vacations

  • Au pairs earns 2 weeks of paid vacation during the course of her year.
  • Vacation time should be mutually agreed upon.
  • All vacation should be preplanned (at least 4 weeks in advance.)
  • All au pair’s friends and/or family visits/vacations should be pre-approved prior to purchasing tickets.
  • If an au pair travels with her host family, it should be discussed in advance whether this is the au pair’s vacation or if she is working.
  • If an au pair travels with the host family to work, the host family is required to pay for her transportation, lodging and meals.

Important: If an au pair is traveling outside of the U.S., she must have her DS2019 signed (travel validation) PRIOR to her departure from the US. More information about this may be found here on the Au Pair in America website.

Photo: torbakhopper (Flickr)

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

Au Pair In America Offers Free Information Sessions on Affordable Child Care

Free, no obligation information sessions are being offered to Rhode Island parents to provide information and to answer questions that they may have about hosting an au pair. Program costs will be discussed and compared with other child care options, with emphasis on the benefits and cost-effectiveness of the au pair program. Reserve a spot at an upcoming session, or schedule another convenient option by contacting Barbara Fetta (BarbaraFetta@gmail.com). Information sessions can also be scheduled on-site for corporations, groups and community organizations.

Au Pair "Welcome" Ideas

Some families like to send a “welcome package” to their au pairs while they are at Orientation, and many have asked for ideas and suggestions as to what might be appropriate. I have listed a few suggestions below. Welcome packages may be sent directly to the hotel, and should be marked clearly with your au pair’s name, Membership ID number and arrival date.

New Location Effective 1/27/13
Doubletree by Hilton
455 South Broadway
Tarreytown, NY 10591

Hotel Phone: 914-631-5700

• A card or note along with drawings that the kids have created to welcome their new au pair. You might also include a family photo.

• A welcome note along with a pre-paid phone card. (Phone cards may be purchased through the Au Pair in America Website: http://www.aupairinamerica.ekit.com/ekit/home/

• Personal care package: Toiletry items (lotions, powders, disposable razors, etc)

• NY Tour – On the third night of Orientation – au pairs are offered the opportunity to go on a guided tour of New York City. The tour includes bus trip, tour guide and “boxed dinner” — and the cost to each au pair is $75. Some families have expressed an interest in giving the NY tour to their au pairs as a welcome gift. If interested, you may send the $70 payment via check or credit card to:

Au Pair In America
Attn: Orientation Logistics Coordinator
1 High Ridge Park
Stamford, CT 06905

E-Mail: Orientation@aifs.com
Phone: (203)399-5042 or (800)928-7247, ext. 5042
Fax: (203)399-5242