One Pair

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July 31st, 2010 admin Leave a comment Go to comments

One Pair

Using an Au Pair For Child Care

Parents of young children know how difficult it is to balance life, family and work in today’s hectic world. Many parents need extra help, especially if they have more than one child, in the form of a nanny or caregiver to give their children the care and attention they need. Finding a childcare provider is one of the most challenging decisions facing parents because the childcare provider they choose is responsible for the safety and wellbeing of their children. Parents need a trustworthy caregiver who will offer the affordability and flexibility a busy family needs.

One option that is perfect for many busy parents who need childcare is a live-in au pair. An au pair is a young person from another country who is adventurous and educated. They come to America for one year to share their love of caring for children with their host family. They are interested in experiencing the American culture by living with a host family, taking local college classes, and taking part in the community. An au pair is a great childcare solution for families who love to travel and learn about other cultures. If you want your children to learn about the world and other cultures, hosting an au pair is a great way to do so.

Parents who host an au pair have the peace of mind that their children are in trusted and qualified care. Au pair programs are tightly regulated by the U.S. Department of State. An au pair usually lives and studies in the U.S. for one year on a J-1 cultural exchange visa that requires them to provide 45 hours of childcare per week. The U.S. Department of State requires au pairs to be between the ages of 18 and 26, speak proficient English, and complete a comprehensive application process that includes submitting references related to childcare, personal references, a medical examination, a criminal check, and an essay about why they want to be an au pair.

Hosting an au pair is an affordable option for families who would have to pay for their children to attend daycare or hire a nanny anyway. Hosting an au pair costs about 300 dollars per week. An au pair gives your children a caring environment with one on one attention and gives you flexible and affordable childcare. Hosting an au pair also teaches your children about the larger world around them. When you host an au pair you are also giving a young person from abroad the opportunity to learn about America and experience our culture.

There are many places you go find available au pairs both locally and online. Many websites specialize in connecting au pairs with families who could benefit from their services. Cultural Care can answer your questions about hosting an au pair, the applications process, and what you need to do to hire an au pair for your family. You can hire an au pair for a year or for just a season when your childcare needs change.

About the Author

Shannon Braun is a local childcare coordinator for Cultural Care Au Pair in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Shannon can be reached at (909) 638-6916 or shannon.braun@lcc.culturalcare.com For more information, please visit
www.cultruralcare.com