Au Pair Services

What is an Au Pair Service? This is a Nanny Service involving a young male but generally female from another country coming to the US to provide domestic help. The domestic help can be from light household chores such as washing dishes to helping with childcare. The Au Pair has a set schedule and is allowed two days off a week. They must also attend college and work towards their degree while being there.

The Family hosting the Au Pair often provides a small allowance or pocket change, while offering them a room of their own and meals. The Au Pair must feel as though they are a part of the family and be treated as such. The Au Pair's age can range between 17 and 30 years old, and they are unwed.

The Au Pair originated in Europe and was adopted by the US to help with the foreign exchange program over 18 years ago. The young man or women gets the chance to live in the United States to study and live for a 1 to 2 year period.

The rules for an Au Pair are very similar throughout the world, however, the US has adapted it to meet the requirements of labor laws here. The Au Pair has to between the ages 18 and 26; they must have at least 6 months or 200 hours in childcare experience. They must have a driver's license, agree to stay at least one year and provide no more than 10 hours per day or 45 hours per week of Childcare.

They must also have completed their secondary school or high school education, and be able to fluently speak English. They have to have a clean criminal background and cannot have been an Au Pair in the US previously. The US recently began allowing the Au Pair to get extensions for a second year or either 6, 9, or 12 months. There is even an Au Pair summer program now.

The Au Pair must receive a wage each week, which is currently set at $139.05 each week. The Au Pair, in return, must spend the first $500 towards their education. The Au Pair gets 1 complete weekend off each month and a two-weeks paid vacation each year.

The US also has the EduCare Au Pair Program in which the Au Pair cannot work more than 30 hours weekly, and the family must pay for $1000 in educational expenses. The Au Pair can stay in the home of a family with an infant under 3 months old only if there is another adult or parent at home as well.

The Au Pair agency is a way for young adults in other countries to learn a new culture and life experiences while helping a family.

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