June Promotion to get an Aupair!

Hear From an Au Pair: How to Meet People During your Au Pair Year

One of my main concerns when I was thinking about becoming an au pair was "How would I meet new people?" It turned out to be much easier than I thought. Below are four ways I met people in the U.S. and ways you can make new friends as well!

1. Get to Know Other Girls at Au Pair Academy

My fear about meeting people in the United States was calmed almost instantly as I arrived at Au Pair Academy. At first I was just fascinated by how many people who were so different from me ended up in the same place and time starting this new experience! And what I found out was that we were not that different at all, as we shared a common interest; our love for kids, adventures, travel and our enthusiasm to become independent world citizens by deciding to leave our homes for a whole year to experiment and learn another culture.
Some of the people I met at Academy I’m still in touch with four years after those first days of the adventure that changed my life!

2. Take Part in Local Au Pair Events

Once you arrive to your host family’s home, your Area Director will reach out to you. She will help you meet other au pairs in your neighborhood during the monthly activities organized by AuPairCare. Also, in many areas with a large amount of au pairs it is not unusual to find a casual weekly coffee night organized by the au pairs themselves. Attend as many of these events as possible! They are fun, and a great way to integrate yourself into the community.

3. Take Part in Free Community Events

In addition to learning something new and developing your professional career, the courses you take during your program are a great opportunity to meet more people. But don't stop at your required classes. Libraries and community centers are other good places to meet people while you learn. Lots of places organize short one-day courses and activities such as movie nights, volunteering programs, creative writing workshops and many other community events created for public enjoyment and education.

4. Be Social All Around Town

Americans are well known for being very friendly and open people so don’t be surprised if somebody starts a conversation with you in a park while taking care of the kids, waiting in the bus stop or even in line in the supermarket. Take these opportunities! You could meet other au pairs, nannies or parents who could become friends.

Aupair Monthly meetings

Monthly meetings are great times to get together and talk and get to know each other. This month we had a picnic in the park and we took some photos. Every month we do something fun together.

Why choose Aupair Care for your childcare

Once you’ve learned about the benefits and requirements of the au pair program and decided this might be a good fit, it’s time to decide which agency you should go with!
There are lots of choices out there but here at AuPairCare we’re committed to live-in childcare and cultural exchange.  Here are some of the most popular reasons families choose AuPairCare:

Our Au Pairs

Year-round, AuPairCare offers a robust selection of au pairs from all around the world. Becoming an au pair is a rigorous process, and all of our au pairs meet not only the Department of State requirements but extra AuPairCare qualifications as well. Once our au pairs arrive in the US, they attend a 4 day training known as “Au Pair Academy” where we review important development milestones, child safety (including first aid and CPR) and the American way of caregiving. Our Infant Specialized au pairs have a separate but equally intensive training where they focus on the unique needs of babies.  Our reputation abroad is that of the top agency, with au pairs eager to come to the U.S as an AuPairCare au pair.

Transparent Fees

The au pair program can be one of the most affordable childcare solutions out there, and our goal is to make our pricing as transparent as possible so there are no surprises. From application fees to when payments are due, we include all cost information on our website and Family Room portal, and staff is always available to answer any additional questions you may have.

Au Pair Staff

Our staff is truly amazing. Many of our team members have been with the program for 20+ years, and the majority has had au pairs themselves!  Whether you want to speak to a Program Advisor at our headquarters about the basics of our program, or your local Area Director to learn about the other AuPairCare families in your community, our staff are experts in au pair childcare and always available to answer any questions you might have.

We’re Family

When you look through our blog you’ll see tons of stories about host families and au pairs who loved their experience so much they wanted to share it with us. Our participants are funny, kind, caring and excited about cultural exchange. Most of our new families and au pairs came to us on the recommendation of current participants, and in our last survey 97% of participants said they recommend us to others – so request more information today!

 

Great time to get an Aupair

Take advantage of this great promotion and get an Aupair for the summer and by the time school starts

5 Things Your Nanny or Au Pair Wish You Knew

As a parent, you know that caring for children is tough business. Those sweet little faces need love, attention, and lots of activities to keep them busy. So you can imagine that choosing to work as a nanny or au pair in another person’s home is a rewarding but often difficult job. To make their life a little easier (and your home run a bit more smoothly), we asked a few nannies and au pairs to tell us the top 5 things they wish you knew.

1. It’s so much easier as a team. Parents, you may have experienced this yourselves: one parent unintentionally undermines the other when it comes to discipline. It is crucial that you work with your nanny to make sure everyone is on the same page and supportive of disciplinary decisions. Showing your kids that you respect your nanny by following through on a punishment she gave sends the message that she is an authority figure. It also makes her job much easier the next time she tells little Johnny that if he does not stop spitting, he’ll be in time out. He’ll quickly remember that even though mommy came home, she made him stay until he had done his time and apologized.
    
2. She is a professional. This means she’ll do a great job, take on some extra projects and keep things organized. It also means that she deserves support, consideration and respect. Respect of course means how you speak to her, but also respect for her time, things and interests. If you say you’ll be home at 6pm, be home at 6pm and be sure you send a quick text if you are running a few minutes late. Give ample notice when plans change and try to accommodate special requests, knowing she will do the same.
    
3. The little details make all the difference. Imagine spending all day with a cranky toddler, who doesn’t want to eat much and just wants to be held. Then, when mom comes home and nanny reports the days’ events, mom says, “Oh, I’m not surprised. We noticed last night she is getting a new molar”. Yikes – wouldn’t this information have been helpful to your nanny before her day started? Even if she lives in your home, the little details about your day or your child’s current health may not be obvious to her, so it’s important to convey those details. As awesome as your nanny or au pair is, she is not a mind-reader, so it’s crucial to share everything both verbally and on paper.
    
4. She has a plan. Not only does your nanny or au pair have a plan for each day, but it is likely one that you have helped her to craft. So whenever possible, respect that plan and try not to throw a wrench in. Give her ample notice when things will be a little different and try not to throw out last minute schedule or activity changes. It’s also important to remember that while she might not do things exactly as you would, if your kids are happy and responding well, her method might be the best way. This is a tough one to admit, but sometimes a nanny’s time in the trenches has taught her a few things even mom and dad had not considered.
    
5. She is a person, too. It sounds a little silly, but it is true! Your au pair may read, sing, act – it could be anything, but the fact is that she has a life outside of your family and great talents and ideas to share. Your whole family can learn from her and grow as a result. Take some time to get to know her unique interests and encourage her to share these with your kids.

Now that you are armed with these insider tips, put them to use. Acknowledge your nanny or au pair’s hard work and commit to investing in the relationship. You’ve chosen the perfect childcare provider – now make the most of it and in the process give even more to your kids.

She’s not just a childcare provider, she’s a member of our family. She’s my parenting partner.

My friends have a nanny. She’s nothing short of amazing. She does the kids’ laundry, packs their lunches, makes baby food, organizes toys, you name it. She arrives 10 minutes early and often stays a few extra minutes at the end of the day to let the parents take off their shoes and change into “parent mode” after they get home from a stressful day in the office. I only hear good things.
What I don’t hear is this:
“My nanny subscribed to a parenting website so she could get additional tips and tricks on how to potty train my kids”
“My nanny celebrated her birthday with us and posted photos of the cupcakes she and my kids made on her social media”
“My nanny changed her plans this weekend to come on an Easter Egg hunt with our family”
These are the things I experience hosting an au pair. She’s not just a childcare provider, she’s a member of our family. She’s my parenting partner.


She’s our 3rd party, objective opinion when my husband and I are arguing about where to hang the new piece of wall art we just brought. She spends time while the kids are napping looking up ways to help our children’s development or fun crafts she can do with them that afternoon. She created a Facebook group to send the grandparents photos of the kids daily. She went out shopping with her au pair friends and came home with fun things to do with our kids rather than new clothes (don’t get me wrong, she likes to shop for clothes too). This is who I want watching my kids. Someone invested in not just a job, but a family. I am grateful each day when I leave my kids for work that someone who loves them that much is taking care of them every day.

10 Fears and Misconceptions about Hosting an Au Pair

You’ve seen one of our ads, you’ve talked to your friends or maybe you’ve gone so far as to apply to the program. But something is holding you back from moving forward with the au pair process. It’s easy for us to tell you all the great things about the program, we’ve got a story of a host family and au pair starting a business together, host families traveling to their au pair’s home country and tons of ultimate au pair stories. But what you want to know is what it’s really like to have an au pair. So below we’ve addressed some of the most common fears and misconceptions host families have about the au pair program!

10. Fear: The Au Pair Lives With Us?

This is a biggie – it is probably the number one concern friends and family who are unfamiliar with the program will bring up to you! The key is to get as familiar with the au pair as you can during the interview process, and there are plenty of tools to help with that. Between our interview guides and Match Experts, our goal is to facilitate successful matches. We encourage families to really get to know their au pair candidates. Multiple video interviews with prospective au pairs are mandatory and families can take as long as they need to make a selection. Ultimately we want you to feel the person coming to care for your kids is someone you can trust.

9. Misconception: Au Pairs Aren't Experienced.

Your kids are everything. Whether they are being perfect little angels (most of the time!) or complete terrors (once in a while), they’re yours and you don’t want any caregiver denying them compassion and respect. We think that the best way for au pairs to develop that skillset is with experience! That’s part of why you can see each au pair’s verified childcare experience hours on their au pair profile. If you choose an infant specialized au pair, know that they have specific experience with kids under two.

8. Fear: There’s Too Much Commitment With an Au Pair, Especially when Compared to Nannies and Daycare!

We’ve spent a lot of time comparing nannies, daycares and au pairs, in fact you can call us any time for our Ultimate Guide to Childcare. There are pros and cons to each option and maybe in some cases a nanny or daycare is best for your family. But we’re biased and we really feel that au pairs give you the best bang for your buck. When life happens - a work deadline is moved up or your spouse can’t pick up the kids, the flexibility of an au pair is unparalleled. And having a caregiver that is just focused on your kids means so much for their growth and development.

7. Misconception: If Things Don’t Work Out With My Au Pair, I Won't Have Options.

Not every placement is perfect. The goal is for everyone to have the ultimate au pair but we would be disingenuous to not acknowledge that sometimes things don’t work out. It can be as simple as a difference in personalities or a wave of au pair homesickness. Whatever the reason, we take placement transitions and rematch seriously - we want you to have the right au pair for your family. Before the program starts we outline everything in your childcare agreement; mediation options, timelines, costs for a match break and your options for finding a new au pair. Above all we do our best to support you and your au pair because ultimately we want you both to be in situations that are positive, safe, and happy.

6. Fear: My Kids Will Get Attached and Then My Au Pair Will Leave.

The length of an au pair year program varies. After the initial program year of 12 months, an au pair and host family can decide to extend for an additional 6, 9 or 12 months. The maximum time an au pair can stay in the US is 2 two years. Those goodbyes can be difficult – host families and au pairs really do grow to love one another, so our solution is not to sever that bond! We’ve heard stories of host families going to the weddings of their au pairs years after their program ended. Families and au pairs that get the most out of this program are those that committed to the spirit of cultural exchange.

5. Misconception: Having an Au Pair is Like Having Another Child.

Au pairs in the U.S. that are part of a Department of State regulated au pair agency will be between 18 and 26 years old. They’ll need a private bedroom in your home and you will set rules with them about curfews, use of the car and appropriate house rules. But remember, your au pair is also a secondary school graduate that is mature enough to make the decision to come to another country alone for a life changing experience. While they will definitely have a learning curve coming into your home, many host parents find au pairs to be like a younger sibling than another child.

4. Fear: An Au Pair Will Have Poor English Skills.

Certain au pairs will be stronger in English than others, but all au pairs speak the language conversationally. Most families see their au pairs improve their language exponentially in just the first month or so of being in the country. They’ll pick up nuances that aren’t always taught in school. Our Matching Expert can have an in depth conversation with you about which au pairs to interview that will meet your family’s needs. You can also ask for the The Parent’s Guide to Au Pair Countries of Origin, which will give you some pointers not only on the average English level of the au pair country of origin you’re looking for, but also the communication styles and driving abilities that will work best for your household.

3. Misconception: Au Pairs Just Want a Ticket to America.

Au pairs do want to be in America, they want exposure to our culture and to experience life in a new country. But the accepted applicants in our au pair pool have established lives in their home countries; families, friends and job opportunities to return to. We do everything we can to make sure that the au pairs in our pool are committed to being the best care givers they can be and are intent on returning home at the end of their program in accordance with Department of State Regulations.

2. Fear: My Kids Will Spend More Time With the Au Pair Than Me.

Working moms and dads are well aware of the necessary compromise that comes with being a parent and having a career. So when an au pair comes into the picture and spend the time we wish we had for our kids, it’s not uncommon to feel a twinge of jealousy. The key is to remember that au pairs can help free up some of your personal time. If she happens to be preparing the kids’ meals, or doing the kids’ laundry – you now have some time to read a story or play a game with your little ones. Au pairs can offer a balance you may never have considered.

1. Misconception: Au Pairs are for the Wealthy!

With the growing costs of raising a child, sometimes it feels like children are for the wealthy! In all seriousness child care costs can be very high, but live-in childcare can be an affordable option. The traditional au pair program costs $18,183 no matter how many children you have. Compare that to your local annual childcare costs and more often than not you’re looking at a bargain. Au pair care shouldn’t be considered cheap childcare, but rather an enriching cultural exchange program that benefits both the au pair and your children!

5 Things NOT to Ask When Interviewing Your Childcare Provider

Finding the perfect childcare provider for your family can be hard, especially when undergoing the interviewing process. How do you accurately judge the skill sets and compatibilities of candidates in such a brief encounter? The following 5 tips on what not to ask potential caregivers will help you get to know your future caregiver and assess whether they are up for the job.

1. No Leading Questions Allowed

Leading questions can prevent you from receiving honest answers from your interviewee. Remember, the person you are interviewing wants to impress you, so if you ask a question that points them towards the answer, they may just say what you want to hear. Instead, try an open ended, neutral and descriptive question.

Don’t Ask: “My children get up very early and want breakfast shortly after. Are you a morning person?”
Do Ask: “Tell me what part of the day you are most productive - are you a night owl, morning person or do you prefer midday?”

2. Don’t Leave Everything Open-Ended

While open-ended questions are often effective (like the question above), they don’t always reveal the whole picture of what you’re trying to discover. Being specific can help in situations where your interviewee may need a bit more guidance to answer the question that you’re really asking.

Don’t Ask: “What do you like to do in your free time?”
Do Ask: “What did you do yesterday? What are you plans this weekend?”

3. Avoid Making Assumptions

Looking at a potential caregiver's resume will inevitably raise questions about their past experience and what type of caregiver they would be. It’s important not to make assumptions about why they’ve chosen to apply for this job and instead have an open dialogue during the interview to find out. You’ll be surprised at the multifaceted response you may receive.  

Don’t Ask: “You have a lot of education, why would you want to care for kids all day?”
Do Ask: “Why do you want to care for my children and what do you hope to learn?”

4. Never Lead with the Negatives

You aren’t the only one who wants a caregiver to be a great fit for your family – she wants to find the right household too! If you lead with what can be perceived as the negative aspects of working with your family, you may scare away potential candidates. Think of how your supposed ‘negatives’ can be turned into positives.

Don’t Ask: “We never really travel or take vacations, is that ok with you?”
Do Ask:  “We love to stay at home and explore our great city, how does that sound?”

5. Don’t Settle at the Surface

Sometimes yes/no answers that can seem satisfactory don’t actually paint the entire picture of what you want to know. Don’t be afraid to ask probing questions until you feel that you’ve discovered all the facts, instead of just receiving your interviewee’s personal opinion.

Don’t Ask: “Are you a good driver?”
Do Ask: “How often do you drive? What type of car do you drive? Have you ever been in an accident? Who taught you to drive? Have you driven with kids?”

Running a successful interview takes patience and practice. We hope these 5 tips help you find the right caregiver for your family!