Susan Wildeboer

Why do families choose au pairs for their childcare?
18,000 US families use this form of childcare. Some of the reasons families choose au pairs are:

*flexibility in their childcare hours - their schedule fits your life instead of your life having to fit the daycare schedule
* dependability - because they live with you there is no question they will be there that day, on time, and able to care for a child who is ill so that you can go to work
* affordability - $340/wk is usually lower than the cost for daycare or a nanny for one child; half the cost if you have two children. I specialize in helping parents of multiples!!
* prefer their children are conveniently cared for in their home - no exposure to other sick children at daycare, no dropping off and picking up each day, if your child is sick you still have childcare
* want to introduce a second language and culture to their children

Au Pairs are caring, trained, committed and educated young people from abroad between the ages of 19 and 26. They have extensive childcare experience, enjoy children and choose to spend a year or two abroad caring for children before pursuing their college or careers. They are eager to experience American culture while sharing their own. In exchange for the privilege of living in your home as a family member, they will provide your family with up to 45 hours per week of personalized, flexible and loving child care. They are carefully interviewed, screened and fill out a lengthy application.

Cultural Care Au Pair:
20 years of experience in intercultural childcare
A dedicated worldwide staff on-call 24 hours a day
Provides local support for both au pairs and host families
Is U.S. government designated and regulated
U.S. State Department trusts us to place half of all the au pairs who are granted visas in the U.S.

All Cultural Care au pairs:
Participate in a careful screening and selection process
19-26 years old
Proficient in conversational English
Enjoy children and have previous childcare experience

A Cultural Care au pair can:
Provide flexible, in-home care and personalized child supervision.
Arrange weekly working hours to suit your family’s scheduling needs.
Assist with light household duties such as preparing your children’s meals and helping them to keep their rooms neat.
Oversee and enrich your children’s playtime with international games, stories and activities.
Drive your children to and from school, to appointments and on outings and errands.
Supervise your older children during their after school hours and summer breaks.
Introduce your family to another language.
Teach your children international customs and traditions.
Become a lifelong friend to your family.

All Cultural Care Au Pair host families:
Receive up to 45 hours per week of childcare.
Are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.
Are able to provide a private bedroom for the au pair.
Have a sincere interest in cultural exchange.

A successful exchange year begins with the right match between a qualified au pair and a welcoming host family:
That is where I can help you. I have 13 years of experience working with host families and au pairs and will work with you from your first question to your final match with an au pair. I will then teach you how to prepare for a successful au pair year. Multiple children are my specialty. I have helped families with twins and triplets all over the US to find the extra pair of hands they’ve needed to take care of their children. (And even to be able to go out on a date - imagine that!)

Host family commitment:
As a Cultural Care host family, you share our commitment to ensuring your au pair’s American experience is as rewarding as possible. You welcome an au pair into your home as a family member, and include your au pair in family meals, activities and outings. In exchange for your hospitality, the au pair’s primary responsibility will be to provide childcare assistance, including light household duties related to the children, for up to 45 hours per week.

Your responsibilities:
Cultural Care Au Pair is designated and regulated by the U. S. Department of State. All Cultural Care host families must adhere to government regulations, designed to ensure a successful program experience. Au pairs receive a weekly stipend from the host family. Their childcare responsibilities must not exceed 45 hours per week with a limit of 10 hours in any one day. Au pairs are entitled to one-and-a-half consecutive days off per week, one complete weekend off each month and two weeks of paid vacation during the year. A host parent or other responsible adult must be at home during the first three days of the au pair’s stay to familiarize the au pair with your children and home. Your au pair must have a suitable private bedroom in your home.

Au pair education and meetings:
Au pairs are also required by government regulation to fulfill an educational component equivalent to six credit hours during their year in the U.S. and attend monthly meetings hosted by the local childcare coordinator. Host parents support their au pair’s education by paying up to $500 for course enrollment and educational materials and providing the au pair with transportation to and from classes and meetings.

Cultural Care Au Pair is one of the most affordable childcare options available. Regardless of the number of children in your family, the average weekly cost is just $340, which includes the application fee, program fee and your au pair’s weekly stipend.

$340 = Cultural Care Au Pair
$400 = Other au pair agencies
$450 = Traditional daycare
$695 = American nannies

How does it add up to $340 a week (about $8/hour)?
Application Fee $75
Au Pair Final Selection Fee $275
Program Fee $7,095
The program fee includes: recruitment, screening, preparation and training (including training materials) for your au pair; pre- and post-arrival orientations; international airfare; medical and travel insurance; ongoing support from Cultural Care staff and your local childcare coordinator throughout the program. We have a budget-friendly payment plan that allows you to pay a reduced initial deposit and the remainder of the program fee over the course of 6 months.

Weekly Stipend $195.75:
The weekly stipend is paid by you to your au pair for 51 weeks, including two weeks of paid vacation.The weekly stipend is subject to change based on the federal minimum wage rate.

$500 towards her educational component ( Some au pairs use that entire amount, some do not, it all depends upon the accredited educational opportunities in your area)

Domestic transportation fee (fee to fly your au pair to her home from NYC if she is an overseas au pair, or from her current location in the US if she is in the country. Transportation fees are here)

Add these costs together and divide by 51 weeks
Average weekly cost to you: just $340! (about $8/hour) to provide childcare for ALL of your children.

Contact me for current discount information!! 408-828-2747 or email: susan.wildeboer@lcc.culturalcare.com and to get answers to your questions.

Want to visit with a current host mom? Check out Au Pair Answer Mom!
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