Au Pair Agencies

If you would like your children to have early exposure to other countries and cultures, or feel like getting a little bit of extra help around the house (or both!) an au pair agency might have exactly what you're looking for!

An au pair is a person, usually a young woman, but not always, who will live on an equal basis with a host family in a foreign country. He or she will help out with childcare or housework for an agreed-upon number of hours a week and be awarded an allowance by the host family. The relationship is not one of a servant living in the household and is instead one of a member of the extended family.

If you've decided to get an au pair, or simply have a few questions, an au pair agency is one of the best places to start looking. As a host family, you can put in an application with the au pair agency and view the au pairs candidates currently available. Depending on the agency, there are various screening processes, ensuring that the au pair you are matched with is a good fit for your family.

At the au pair agency page, you will find a great deal of information about their particular program as well as what au pairs are looking for host families. You can read basic bios that will let you know how many years of experience they have with children, whether or not they have brothers or sisters, what languages they are proficient in, and why they are applying for an au pair position in your country.

When investigating an au pair agency, do contact them for good information. Some of their websites are a bit scantier than might be preferred, but all agencies have a lot of documentation that they'll be more than happy to send you when you request it.

Depending on your country, your agency will arrange for different length of stays. In the UK, the au pair must not intend to be in the country for more than two years, while in the United States, the contract is usually for one to two years. The United States usually sets applicants up for a term of one year, with a renewal option that can be used for six, nine or twelve months.

If you are in the UK, you have quite a few options to choose from regarding au pair agencies. Au pairs have been a UK tradition for many years, and thus there are many options to choose from when you start looking for someone to complement your family for a year or two. Two notable au pair agencies are The Childcare Company and Childcare International Ltd. You can also go to the British Au Pairs Agencies Association for a brief overview.

In America, your choices are fewer, but very thorough. Check out Au Pair in America and the Au Pair Foundation to get you started.

Having an au pair in your home can be a culturally enriching experience, and you've just taken the first step to making that possible.

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