About us
This website is expressly designed for host families , to support current and future host families, former host families are welcome too. The explanations concerning the US Department of State Regulations are intended for host families living in the USA only.
The advice below is given by an experienced senior counselor. Over 14 years of being a senior counselor in one of the large Au Pair agencies designated by the US State Department, has given me a lot of insight into how to prevent difficulties that can arise when living with an Au Pair from a foreign country is close quarters such as your home.
It is my goal to aide you in setting up an effective ‘working’ relationship with your Au Pair. So that you can feel assured that your kids are well cared for.
Au Pair Program History
Immigration laws in the USA state that a foreigner (not US citizen or green card holder) cannot take away a job from an American citizen. An alien nanny or Au Pair effectively would take away the job from an American nanny.
In 1986, the US Department of States formally sanctioned the Au Pair program under the J-1 exchange program regulation. Nearly 180,000 young people from abroad have been hosted by American families since then. The premise of the Au Pair program is that it is a “cultural exchange program”. Childcare of up to 45 hours per week (no more than 10 hours/day) in exchange for becoming a member of the host family for the duration of the program, including room, board and pocket money. The host parents have to be either US citizens or green card holders; they have to live legally in the USA.
Currently there are 12 Au Pair agencies that have designation from the US State Department. Please make sure you sign up with one of those agencies with US State Department designation.
Comments
The pocket money for 1 week is 5.75. An au pair can work for up to 45 hours. She/he will always get 5.75 per week. There is a lot of flexibility with those 45 hours. An au pair has to get 1.5 consecutive days over the weekend off.
Please read in the red Main Menu, The Program Year, Costs. There is a breakdown of the total pocket money per year and other expenses, such as the 0 educational component, car insurance, food, etc.
Feel free to email me with any question about the program mv@aupairselection advice.net
The weekly pocket money is $ 195.75 ( ONE-HUNDRED-NIN ETY-FINE and SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS).
All 12 legal au pair agencies have to make sure that host families pay this amount as the weekly pocket money, in accordance with the directive of the US Department of State. It is based on the federal minimum wage and will increase once the minimum wage increases again.