Ever wondered what the difference is between an au pair and a live-in nanny? They both live in the family's home and care for their children. So why different names? A French term, "au pair" is defined as:
A usually young foreign person who cares for children and does domestic work for a family in return for room and board and the opportunity to learn the family's language.
Based on my experience, au pairs are generally between the ages of 18 and 26 and often take classes in their new home land to help soak up the culture. Au pairs are typically offered a temporary arrangement and limited to one to two years away from their original country, which is tough on host families as they have to replace their au pair on an annual basis. A mother's helper to boot, they provide child care and help keep a clean house in exchange for room and board and a decided allowance. Host families usually pay a significant fee to an au pair placement agency that can cost up to $7,000. As one might expect, the young woman has scheduled personal time when she can do as she pleases.
Families who hire a live-in-nanny have many of the same benefits of an au pair, but the "hiring" process, prerequisites, payment and longevity vary. Live-in-nannies are not required to take child care classes or speak the family's language. However, off time is often more flexible with a nanny and they quickly become another member of the family as they begin to blend into the flow after many years of employment.
Tell mommy, would you rather an au pair or a nanny live with you?
Forte Forte
Martick Jewellery
Bloch
the plus of an "au pair" is that they are able to teach your child their language. by having a French au pair, your children could be fully bilingual by the time they hit grade school, without even trying. that would be amazing.
1Um, neither and at least in my region, services can't place live-ins because a) the nannies don't want to live in and b) families don't want them to, either.
2when i was younger my parents did the ''au pair''thing and brought a young girl from nigeria to live with us in france and help with my little sister.she did learn how to speak french but she also became a part of the family,my dad adopted her and she's living in the U.S at my dad's house with my youngest sibling...i haven't done the ''au pair''with my son but through my experiences with it,it's not bad it sometimes turns good like it did for glory whom i consider a sister and love dearly.she does get to see her family in nigeria everytime she wants too.
3I was an au-pair in America and i am from Australia. It was an amazing experience, not only for me but for the family. But i have to say leaving is heart breaking. I spent 45 hours a week with a 6month and 2 year old, i took them to all their activities and generally looked after them. It was sad to leave but i visited them one year later and they still remembered me.
4I would prefer an au pair all the way! I've been hosting au pairs for 3 years and counting now and there's no childcare like it. Not only do your children start to pick up their language (I always have Spanish au pairs) but they learn about new, foreign traditions and norms. It's been an eye opening experience for my whole family. And since I go through an agency (AuPairCare--they're great) we've tapped into this whole network of other host families with au pairs.
5My family has had 2 au pairs, one for 12 months and the other for 18 months. They were both really great girls and we're still in touch with both of them. I agree that one of the great things about au pairs is learning about their cultures. My kids now regularly use phrases in Portuguese!
6We have hosted au pairs for the past three years and love it. They are flexible, affordable, and have really extended our family. Our kids have really enjoyed learning about different cultures.
7In my eyes, An Au Pair trumps every other childcare option. I have had an Au Pair for the past 2 years and It was the best decision I ever made. My Au Pair helps wash, fold and put away my daughters laundry, keeps their rooms clean, reads them books, drives them to school, makes play dates with other Au Pairs in the area, teaches them their language (My daughters can count to 20 in Spanish and in German as well as say some common phrases), runs small errands like going to the supermarket to restock on fruit or whatever we are out of during the week.... the list goes on and on. When I tell people that I only pay a little over $300 per week they cannot believe it. Many of my friends with kids thought that an Au Pair was the same thing as a Nanny. That is a big misconception! My Au Pair has full medical coverage, has been very carefully screened through an agency that I trust, has the intent of coming here to spend a year or two with my family not seeking whatever the highest paying job is because all Au Pairs are paid the same and from phoning and emailing eachother back and forth, exchanging pictures, likes and dislikes... you form this bond and this Au Pair is coming here solely to be with your family. When her working hours are over, she often enjoys spending time with our family. My daughters basically get a big sister. I love it, love it, love it!! In my eyes, you cannot compare the two.
8I have had both a nanny and an au pair, and would choose an au pair for sure. My kids are 4 and 5, and when they were born, we utilized a home day care. We were there for about 2.5 years, and then the operator shut her doors because she became injured. We hired a nanny next, she was also great, but she could only work certain days and hours of the week. She needed to leave, and so we hired another nanny. That didn't last too long either so we started looking at other options. And then we learned about the au pair program.
The au pair program has been the most flexible option available for us, by far and away. The au pairs become a part of the family, and they really live within the family like an older sister or brother. That part of the program has been priceless for our family. Not long after becoming a host family with Cultural Care Au Pair, I began working as a local childcare coordinator for the company. I have met a lot of au pairs and host families over the year who have also had great experiences with au pairs.
Along with great flexibility, our kids have become really close to our au pairs. They have really become part of our family. Someone previously commented on the fact that au pairs leave after a year. A nanny can do the same, and so can a home daycare person. We have experienced both needing to leave their jobs. Kids get new teachers every year in school, new soccer and baseball coaches — change is not a bad thing, it is part of life. As parents, we are the constants in our kids' lives, and we can help our kids learn how to navigate change in a very positive way. Our first au pair stayed one year, longer than either nanny, and we still talk to her every week. Our second au pair is staying for a second year, and while it will be hard to say goodbye, we tell our kids that no matter where she goes, she will still be a part of our family. We are sharing an amazing year together in all of our lives, and want to stay connected in the future.
9I know it can be very tough for a mom to have somebody else watch their babies! I am a full time mom, (chef, maid, personal shopper) and my DH and I work very demanding full time jobs. My DH and I have 2 girls and we have tried both the daycare option as well as an au pair option and I can honestly tell you that I don't know what I would do without an au pair in our house! I work 40 plus hours a week and my husband travels for his work. It is always nice to know that my girls are being well taken care while in the comforts of their home. I also don’t have to worry about how to get my youngest to preschool, play dates or to the park to see her friends or how to get my oldest daughter to tennis and soccer practice or what to do with the girls on snow days or summer vacations!
We have been a host family for 5 years now - since my youngest was 3 months old and we have hosted au pairs from Germany, Russia and Columbia. Each au pair has brought their own special qualities with them and they been a great addition to our family! We now have friends that we keep in touch with worldwide…in fact we just met up with our 3rd au pair from Germany and we just vacationed together to the Caribbean! I know that some people are very hesitant about having an au pair live with them, but I have discovered that it was like having a younger sister or family member in the house and I have always enjoyed the extra company (especially when my husband travels). In addition, because the live-in au pairs became almost part of the family, I developed more trust in regards to them watching my daughter. For our family – having an au pair has been the best and rewarding option. kj247@comcast.net
10Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.