A recent article in The Free Lance Star compared the cost of day care to local college tuitions to see which was more expensive. The comparison may surprise you! Included in the article are statistics on the cost of various forms of child care. Last year the annual average cost for full-time childcare for an infant, in Fredericksburg, was $10,816 at a day care center, and $6,760 at an in-home day care.

Unfortunately the cost of having an au pair was not part of the comparison. The current cost for a screened, trained (Red Cross certified and an option for a AAA driving class) au pair to live in your home and provide 45 hours a week of childcare is only slightly more than the in-home day care rate. But with an au pair you choose the hours, and the care is provided in your home. You don’t have to take your child out in bad weather, and can leave your child at home if he/she is feeling “under the weather.”

Fredericksburg also has the Educare program for au pairs available, which provides you with 30 hours of child care a week and costs less than the in-home day care cost. This option is perfect for commuters who need help during non-school hours to get children ready and onto the bus, and later off the bus, to activities, and help with homework.

The cost for a standard au pair (45 hours a week) or educare au pair (30 hours a week)  does not depend on how many children you have. Unlike child care or day care, the cost is the same for one, two, three or more children.

Send me an email at eaton.apa@gmail.com  to find out how an au pair is the perfect choice for your family.

You can read the original article at:

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2012/092012/09012012/721815?rss=local