Generally, an au pair is regarded as a foreigner who helps a family do domestic work. The family then serves as a host, who in return for the au pair's service, offers room and board. The au pair gets the opportunity to learn the local language of her temporary home and many other things about the country. The hiring of au pairs is also a practice in the United States.
Becoming an au pair in the US
Becoming an au pair in the United States requires that the prospective au pair possesses certain qualifications and have documents to prove these. An au pair must be between 18 to 26 years old. She cannot be 27 prior to arrival in the US. She should be fluent in English and, ideally, must not be married. If she is to stay with a family, which has a child below two years old, then she should be able to present documentary evidence of at least 200 hours of childcare experience. Initial qualifications and requirements include a high school diploma or its equivalent, passing of a psychometric test, and at least three non-family references. The au pair should have no criminal record and should agree to be a congenial part of a particular family and therefore will not be allowed to get additional employment in the US.
Au pair services and conditions
As an au pair, responsibility to the family usually includes domestic chores such as cooking, housecleaning, driving and more frequently childcare. The family should at least provide a private bedroom and meals for the au pair. Special dietary requirements, international phone call expenses, and medical insurance are shouldered by the au pair. Airfare to get to the US and the family’s residence is negotiable.
Au pairs are a welcome alternative for families in the US where domestic help and nannies are hard to find and expensive.
