US Government Program Rules

Childcare Hours
Weekdays Childcare hours for AuPair: No more than 10 hours per day and 45 hours of childcare work per week. If the aupair is the only responsible adult in the house then it counts as worktime for her. No matter if the kids sleep or not. Therefore, an Aupair cannot care for the children overnight, unless you return within 10 hours and if she has not worked during the prior day. Exception is ie. if Grandma stays overnight. Banking of hours is not permitted.
Weekends Once a month your Aupair has to get a full weekend off – Friday night through Monday morning (Sunday night). The other 3 weekends she has to get at least 1 1/2 consecutive days off with one day being a Saturday or Sunday. The key word is consecutive days. Don’t split up her 1.5 days off. Half (1/2) day means no more than 5 hours.

Pocket Money / Weekly Stipend
$195.75 weekly pocket money for all 52 weeks, also to be paid when sick and during her two weeks of vacation.

Educational Component
One of the main reasons that aupairs have signed up for the program is because they want to improve their English. US Department of State Regulation states that the host family is required to spend a maximum of $500/year on classes for Aupair. The up to $500 per year is required are for a minimum of 6 credit hours, which translates into 60-80 classroom hours (it varies with each agency) at an accredited school. Schools might be nearby community colleges (post secondary) or other accredited schools.

Classes
Therefore, primarily, classes should to be English as a second language or any other English class. Here are some examples: American Literature such as Mark Twain, English Grammar, Business English. Other acceptable classes are American history or American culture. For example, the Civil War, American Indians, American-Mexican War. The host family is responsible for transportation, meaning you have to drive her to the classes, pay for a taxi cab, pay bus fare (not advisable in winter). Make sure Aupair has to time to attend classes and each of 12 monthly activities. Please check with you agency regarding acceptable classes as some agencies differ.

Monthly Aupair meetings
Aupair has to attend all 12 monthly meetings. Please keep in mind that the attendance is a program requirement. Each local community counselor has to meet all au pairs in her group/cluster each month for a personal meeting.  Attending all 12 monthly meeting accomplishes that in a less time consuming way for the counselor.  In a lot of cases the au pairs will not get their deposit (of usually around $500)  back if they don't attend all 12 monthly meetings.  A deposit a required by most au pair agencies to assure program participation, to be paid in her home country before departure. Please make sure that you Aupair gets the time off for monthly meetings. Host family is responsible for transportation. Either drive her yourself, or provide transportation to attend meetings.

J-1 Visa Restrictions
Aupair can only take care of the host families' children. Babysitting of friends, relatives, or neighbors' kids is NOT permitted. She cannot work anywhere else, also not at ie. McDonalds. As a matter of fact, it is illegal under US immigration law for an aupair to work anywhere outside of the host family. However, play dates are OK. Please make sure your aupair understands that it is illegal to work anywhere else. Don’t give her permission to so do.