EurAuPair

Q: I've heard of nanny services and childcare service providers. Is EurAupair Intercultural Childcare Programs like a commercial nanny agency or for profit au pair service?

A: No, EurAupair Intercultural Childcare Programs is not a nanny agency or a childcare service provider, but is a non-profit, public benefit organization. EurAupair is officially designated as an Exchange Visitor Program by the United States Department of State and is one of a handful of organizations granted authority to bring young people from other countries to the USA to assist parents in caring for their children.

Q: How is EurAupair Intercultural Childcare Program different from a nanny service or agency?

A: Where a nanny or childcare service provider may have many different families and children for which they provide services, an au pair is treated as a family member and becomes a ‘big sister' to only your children. Unlike a nanny or childcare service provider who considers her childcare responsibilities a job and leaves at the end of a work day, your au pair lives with you and becomes a regular member of your family, bonding with your children and enriching their lives with their love and the language and culture from which they came.

Q: Does "au pair" mean nanny in another language?

A: No, The word "au pair," doesn't mean nanny at all. It is pronounced "o pair" in French, and means "on par" or equal, denoting living on an equal basis in a reciprocal, caring relationship between the host family and the young person. Like an older sibling, the au pair is included in all family activities, unlike an "employee" of a nanny agency who might be excluded from family meals, holiday celebrations, and other activities. In Europe today, tens of thousands of families and au pairs continue this practical and mutually valuable tradition and the custom is spreading around the world.

Q: What can I expect from my au pair during the program?

A: Different from a nanny or childcare service provider, a EurAupair au pair is a "big sister" from an exciting faraway land. Your EurAupair au pair will live in your home as a family member, and will be available to assist with the care of your children for up to 45 hours per week. Although heavy housework is not permitted, au pairs can share in routine family chores and light housework such as making the kids' beds or helping them straighten their rooms. Quite simply, au pairs, although not trained professionally, can handle many aspects of childcare - responsibly and efficiently. Whatever care and support you might ask of an older son or daughter, you may ask of an au pair - because we ask that you, as a EurAupair host family, include your au pair in your lives as you would a cherished family member. As a result, you will gain more than a trusted caregiver - your entire family will gain a new young friend and family member from abroad for life. Nannies or professional childcare providers rarely have this desire to become a loving family member or ‘big sister' to the children.

Q: What are the fees for the EurAupair Au Pair Program?

A: Please refer to the Fees & Costs page for details on current Host Family Fees.

Q: What does the Host Family Fee include?

A: The Host Family Fee includes application processing, family interview, au pair recruitment and screening (including criminal background check and psychometric evaluation) and selection, visa assistance, full au pair medical, travel, accidental death, and personal liability insurance, round trip airfare from home country (from some countries, Host Family fees do not fully cover costs for airfare), round trip domestic airfare, "SEVIS" (US Homeland Security student database system) fee, Host Family orientation, EurAupair au pair workshop in New York, au pair orientation, local Community Counselor assistance and support to Host Family and au pair throughout the year, regular au pair cultural and recreational get-togethers, the EurAupair Gazette (EurAupair's quarterly newsletter) and 12-Month au pair commitment.

Q: What does the Host Family Fee not include?

A: The Host Family Fee does not include room, meals, educational costs (up to $500), au pair weekly stipend and auto insurance (if required).

Q: How much do we pay our au pair?

A: The amount of the au pair weekly stipend is established by regulations promulgated by the U. S. Department of State in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and is subject to change. Beginning July 24, 2009 the au pair weekly stipend will be $195.75. The weekly stipend for the Par Expérience program is $225 for au pairs who arrived before February 2009 and $250 for au pairs arriving February 2009 or later.

Q: If we have hosted an au pair before, do we get a discount?

A: Yes, EurAupair values the support of those returning families who have successfully hosted a EurAupair au pair for a year or more. Through their participation in the EurAupair Au Pair Program, our repeat families are working with EurAupair to contribute to improve intercultural understanding. EurAupair recognizes the commitment of these families to the EurAupair Au Pair Program, and offers them a $600 reduction in program fees. The same discount is also available to families who have hosted au pairs successfully with other U.S. Government designated au pair programs.

Q: Do we have to pay all fees upfront?

A: No, if you would like to spread the payment of your Program Fee over an extended period, EurAupair offers an easy Payment Plan. Please refer to the Fees & Costs page for details on the Payment Plan.