Hosting an Au Pair
By - Sierra Rix

Have you heard of an au pair? Do you know how the au pair program works? More and more DC area families are turning to international childcare to find balance in their busy lives. Between work, social commitments, and kids' activities, an extra set of hands has become less of luxury and increasingly more of a necessity to get through the week with one's sanity intact.

So what can an au pair do? Well, au pairs provide childcare and light housekeeping for up to 10 hours a day and up to 45 hours per week. Au pairs receive two weeks of paid vacation during their year as well as a consecutive day and a half and one full weekend off each month.

Au pairs are caring and committed, adventurous and educated young people from abroad. They are eager to experience American culture while sharing their own unique backgrounds. In exchange for the privilege of living in your home as a family member, they provide up to 45 hours per week of personalized and loving childcare and housekeeping. Here is a great video that explains just what an au pair actually is!

There are a lot of reasons District area families choose to host an au pair.  Here are a few that we hear again and again:

Top ten reasons to Host an au pair:

1. Customized care - We'll find the skill set you need: musical talent, sporty, a particular country or language - no problem.

2. Affordable - Regardless of whether you have one child or are chasing triplets, your family pays the same price for quality childcare: $340/45 hours. This is a much more affordable option typically than daycare or a nanny.

3. Flexible - Modern work schedules vary, as do our kids' activities; with an au pair you set your childcare schedule to provide coverage when you need it. No more running from work early to get the kids to soccer practice and trying to figure out how to be two places at once!

4. Life-Work Balance - Take a deep breath! With an au pair you have the time you need to get your job done, take care of yourself and, maybe, even enjoy a little Mom Time.

5. Cultural Enrichment - Introducing your child to another culture gives them an advantage that will last a lifetime. Their understanding of world will equip them for success!

6. Language exposure - Learning a second language or even just exposure, broadens a child's capacity to learn.

7. Family Balance - Live-in au pairs enable Moms and Dads to spend time together, relax together, and even enjoy a night out!

8. Household Help - Having a extra set of hands to help with the kid's laundry, meal prep, tiding up toys and kid's rooms allows family time to truly be quality time.

9. Trained & screened childcare provider - Our au pairs are carefully screened in their home c ountries before being accepted. Upon arrival, au pairs go through rigorous training on child safety, and through out the year  local coordinators continue to educate and support the au pairs.

10. Personalized Care - Your kids are the focus and receive 100% of your au pair's attention. And you can feel good knowing your children are being cared by someone who understands your schedule and your values.

Sometimes the concept of hosting seems a little bit, well, foreign, which I can absolutely understand. But I think you'll find the reality of hosting an au pair quickly erases any trepidations felt when considering this option! We started hosting when my kids were 4, 3 and 2 and have been thrilled and thoroughly supported by the 5 au pairs we've welcomed into our home! Interested? Have questions? Give me call!

Sierra works in Business Development for Cultural Care. She is a wife and mother to four children, ages 1 to 7 years. Who, with the help of five amazing Cultural Care au pairs, has been able to balance work, family and leisure. Sierra believes the au pair program is a great fit for busy families who want the best for their children and need the flexibility an au pair can provide. If you have questions about hosting, click on the Cultural Care Au Pair ad on DC Metro Mommy, or contact Sierra directly at 800-333-6056 ext 5575 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .