What is an Au Pair
An au pair program is a cultural exchange program that allows young people from all over the world travel to other countries to live with a host family in exchange for child care services. The word ‘au pair’ is French with a meaning of “on par” or “on equal terms.” The arrangement between the host family and the au pair is different depending on which county the host family resides in. In Europe, for example, au pairs work part-time with the children of the host family and they study part-time. In the United States, an au pair may work up to 45 hours a week.
Nanny vs. Au Pair
Though there are many similarities, the two are very different. To begin with, the au pair is a young adult from another country. A nanny is often from the same country as the family. There are no age restrictions on nannies, but au pairs have a restricted age range that differs from country to country. In the United States, the age range for an au pair is 18 to 26.
Au pairs are, to a great extent, exchange students focusing on learning or perfecting language skills in exchange for caring for the host family’s child or children. They usually come to the United States on a one-year J-1 Au Pair visa as part of the Exchange Visitor Program. In general, nannies are more so local residents who have chosen childcare as a career. For au pairs, their visa is generally for 13 months, but it may be extended an additional year in some instances. A nanny can be with a child from birth to adulthood or until she or the family deems her services are no longer required.
Advantages of an Au Pair
The au pair mainly functions as a childcare provider; however, the position provides much more than just babysitting. Children benefit from the opportunity to interact with a person from a foreign country. Their world can be greatly enriched by the cultural exchange that takes place between the au pair and the child.
Just as the au pair learns the host family’s language, the children are also introduced to the au pair’s native tongue. Younger children can easily pick up language nuances as they learn the au pair’s language and older children may have their horizons greatly broadened by the experience of learning about the au pair’s home country and culture.
Many families welcome the au pair into their lives as a family member, sharing stories and experiences. Meals can often involve foods from the au pair’s home country, giving the children a little taste of a foreign land.
Taking full advantage of the benefits of the culture an au pair brings to the family can have a meaningful impact on everyone’s worldview. It also gives the family an opportunity to act as ambassadors to the au pair, whose life is enriched through the exchange. The au pair goes on outings with the family and can travel with the family on vacations. This gives the au pair an opportunity to have an unforgettable experience while at the same time parents can enjoy the trip knowing that if they choose to do something on their own, they can leave the children in the hands of a trusted adult.
J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program
Both host families and au pairs have certain qualifications that must be met through this program. Those who come to the United States as au pairs have guidelines and regulations that must be followed. They must be:
- A non-U.S. citizen and able to speak fluent English
- A secondary school graduate or the equivalent
- Between 18 and 26 years old
- Have completed a physical exam and are capable of full participation in the program
- Passion for childcare and able to commit to a 12-month position
In addition to the above requirements, the au pair must pass a background investigation that includes verification of school, references, criminal record check and personality profile. Three non-family personal and employment references must be provided as well. Regarding the personality profile, the regulations provided by the U.S. State Department say, “Such personality profile will be based upon a psychometric test designed to measure differences in characteristics considered most important to successfully participate in the au pair program.”
Benefits to the Au Pair
This exchange program benefits both the family and the au pair. When you open your home to an au pair, the visit can last a year or be extended for 6, 9 or 12 additional months. Au Pair 4 Me partners with American Red Cross to provide top of the line training for its au pairs to prepare them for a successful experience with your family. During their stay, au pairs complete at least six hours of academic credit at an accredited post-secondary educational institution in the United States and can receive up to $500 to be put towards the cost of schooling. This is in addition to the compensation received from childcare services provided to the host family as an au pair.
Limitations
There are some limitations and exceptions involved also. A parent or responsible adult must be home if there is an infant younger than three months old in the household. The au pair must have at least 200 hours of documented infant childcare experience when working with a family that has children younger than two years of age.
If a family has a special needs child, the au pair must have prior experience, skills or training in caring for special needs children. The host family must review the au pair’s prior experience and acknowledge it in writing.
Au pairs are placed with families to enhance language skills and give them an opportunity to have an immersion experience in a different culture. The au pair must live with the host family and not in the home of a relative.