New and reactivating families, you can save $1000 if you select your au pair by February 28th!
APIA will waive the $350 application fee and you will receive $650 off your program fee upon matching for a total savings of $1000!
Choosing Childcare- Making the Best Choice for Your Family
The choices of child care available vary by location, but most families have a choice of day care centers, family day care, live-in child care (au pairs or nannies) and live-out care givers who come to your home. Outside the home licensing will vary by state but generally day care centers and family day care are subject to regulations and standards set by government agencies.
Babysitters do not require any credentials and some nannies have training while others do not. Au pairs placed through the U.S. Department of State approved agencies are subject to federal regulations for experience and must participate in agency-run training when they first arrive in the United States
Do you a fixed or flexible work schedule? Day care centers work well with a fixed work schedule. A live-in offers the most flexibility and dependability
How many hours of child care are you looking for? A live-in can adapt to your schedule.
Do you have more than one child? In-home care offers the most flexibility to meet the needs of more than one child.
Do you have an extra bedroom? If not, consdier a live-out or community based day care.
How much can you afford to spend on child care? Day care centers charge differently depending on age groups and number of childre. An au pair receives a weekly stipend that is not connected to number of children or their ages.
Do you need coverage for an ill child, snow days or school holidays? Sick children are usually excluded from day care.
Do you have a long commute? In-home care provides the greatest flexibility.
If you’re considering a live-in an au pair may be the right choice for your family. Au pairs many work up to 10 hours per day and up to 30 or 45 per week. Au pair child care duties generally include children’s supervision and activities, preparing and cleaning up from meals, children’s laundry and keeping children’s rooms and play areas tidy. The program fee paid to an au pair agency includes medical insurance.