Au Pair Question

The State Department sets the rules for au pairs. Hosting an au pair is like hosting an exchange student, except their primary responsibility is child care.

An au pair comes to the States as part of a cultural exchange program. They are generally in the States for a year, after which they can extend for 6, 9, or 12 months. The costs pencil out to approximately $1480-1500 a month, plus you provide a private bedroom, food, and a phone for their use. If they drive (not all do), you'd probably want to put them on your car insurance. Plus you pay up to $500 for them to take a class (required by the State Dept) during their stay. They are restricted to 45 hours a week of childcare plus limited light housekeeping duties/shared family chores. They are not a live-in-maid. If you go through an agency (I'm not sure there is another legal way to do this), the agency provides an area rep who looks after both the family's and the au pair's interests.

From your description, it sounds like your needs wouldn't fit an au pair, but might fit a temporary nanny. They are different.

Use an agency. My DH did not (before we were married) and it was an expensive mistake. We think she just wanted to get to the US and later found out her own family was raising HER six yr old son because they felt she was not a good parent! We had little recourse other than to fire her because we did not go through an agency. She put SD in danger (walked with her but did not manage her and SD nearly got hit in the school parking lot) and that was the end of that with DH. Oh, and she ran up a several thousand dollar phone bill she never quite worked off, too.

T., I host an au pair and am also a coordinator for an au pair agency so I can help you to learn more if you would like. I know you posted this a while ago but I just came across this today so if you are still interested let me know.

I love having an au pair for so many reasons but probably the convenience of having someoe available at any time and the help around the house with laundry, meals, and driving is probably what makes it worth it for us. It is really affordable too considering summer and not needing the before and after school programs.

Google au pair to find businesses that provide au pairs. Then call to ask about the requirements, cost, etc. There are different levels of responsibility for au pairs. For example they don't all live in.

I suggest you can make your own requirements and then interview to find someone that fits them.

Keep in mind that an au pair is usually here on a one year visa, so it's not a short tem commitment. Usually the au pair lives with you like a family member, but of course, need their own room and usually access to a car during their time off. Good luck!

I have an au pair. i have 3 young children. It is a wonderful experience for our au pair and our family. it is a pleasure having someone help with my my children who is college educated, young, energetic, smart, etc. good luck!