It Takes A Village To Raise A Child:
Popularity of international au pair programs growing as working parents discover the perks of live-in childcare.
NEW YORK - October 3, 2007 —
It’s a common dilemma for working parents; who takes care of the kids while we’re at work? More companies are offering on-site daycare than ever before, however not everyone has this option. What if a parent operates his or her own business? They may need more flexibility than just 9 to 5. Daycare centers work perfectly for some families, but for others live-in childcare would be the preferred option. Traditional live-in nannies can be expensive, usually averaging $300-$500 per week plus room and meals. It is also a traditional employer-employee relationship with federal tax liabilities which may keep live-in childcare financially out-of-reach.
Au pair programs operate differently. Au pairs are young adults between the ages of 18 and 26, who travel to the U.S. as cultural exchange students for short-term au pair placements. They are issued J-1 Visas which permit them to work in the U.S. for a specific period of time, usually between 3 months and 12 months, but often they can be extended. Au pairs are placed with “host families” and in exchange for room, board and a weekly cash stipend of around $160, they provide up to 45 hours of childcare per week. According to the IRS, au pair wages are not usually subject to Social Security or Medicare taxes because of their J-1 nonimmigrant status. As exchange students, they are also required to complete 6 credits of college level courses during their stay in the U.S., and they often take classes at night and on their days off.
Families choose au pairs for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons include the desire to expose their children to other cultures, to take advantage of the lower cost of au pairs, and to have the convenience of having someone always at home and available. Host families like the idea of bringing a friend and “big sister” to live with them. One family tells Au Pair USA how their kids “love having au pairs. They think that all families have one – when they play house someone is the mom, the dad and the au pair.”
Many families also request au pairs from specific countries so that their children will learn the au pair’s language and be open to a larger view of the world. “We’ve had 7 au pairs from Belgium and France. The au pairs have all helped our kids learn and maintain their French language skills. Its like the kids got a new teacher every year. My girls also know more geography than most kids their age.”
Others appreciate that the program teaches their children diversity and the ability to deal with change. “There’s always an adjustment to the new au pair, but our kids are very sad when its time for the au pair to return home.”
Finding an au pair isn’t as difficult as you might think. Families feel comfortable meeting au pair candidates over the net and will often “pre-match” through chat rooms and online job databases before they approach an agency for assistance with immigration paperwork and background checks. Since American agencies such as Au Pair USA also provide customized matching services, there is often a discount for families who have already “matched” with an au pair.
The children and the families aren’t the only ones who benefit. Au pairs are thrilled to have an opportunity to live their year as an American, and often keep in touch with their host families long after returning to their lives back home.
InterExchange Au Pair USA is a non-profit agency which sponsors au pairs from over 40 countries. The agency works with cooperator agencies overseas to interview and evaluate potential au pairs before they are placed with a compatible U.S. host family in 21 states around the country. Au Pair USA is one of a handful of agencies designated by the U.S. State Department as an official J-1 Visa sponsor. Since its designation by the U.S. Department of State in 1986, thousands of families have benefited from participating in the Au Pair USA program. For complete information on the program, visit www.aupairusa.org or call 1(800) AU PAIRS.
