We love our “mannies”!
Parents who host male au pairs are quick share that their au pairs offer their family everything that female au pairs do and more. Cultural Care is one of the only au pair programs that recruit male au pairs and we are very proud of our male candidates! Here are some reasons to consider hosting a male au pair. Watch the video.
1 week ago
by Susan RobinsonHow much does it really cost to host an au pair?
It’s a common myth that hosting an au pair is only for wealthy families. That is simply not true! Our average weekly cost is just $340—and that’s per family, not per child. And Cultural Care is keeping their prices the same again for 2010—they have not changed since 2008. For an honest look at the financial implications of hosting an au pair, watch my video.
2 months ago by Susan RobinsonHow does the matching process work?
After applying to host an au pair, the next step is the matching process to find the right au pair to meet your needs. Cultural Care offers three ways to match — personalized exclusive matching, consultative matching, or search and select matching. You can choose to use a combination of these options or the one you are most comfortable with. To learn more about matching, watch the video.
2 months ago by Susan RobinsonWhat do au pairs learn at the Au Pair Training School?
All Cultural Care Au Pairs attend an intensive training program in child safey and child development when they first arrive in the U.S. at our exclusive Au Pair Training School. To learn more about our rigorous curriculum, watch the video.
2 months ago by Susan RobinsonWhat are the unexpected benefits of hosting an au pair?
You may be surprised to learn about some of the many unexpected benefits of hosting an au pair beyond quality, reliable childcare. Watch the video.
2 months ago by Susan RobinsonShould I consider extending my year with my current au pair?
The extension program is a great opportunity for host families and au pairs to spend another year together. As a host family, there are many benefits to extending your year with your au pair. Most significant, of course, is the chance to secure another 12, 9, or 6 months of uninterrupted childcare coverage from an au pair that you know and trust. It is a relief to know that someone you’ve come to rely on can stay beyond her one-year term. For more details, watch my video.
by Susan RobinsonWhat kind of support can I expect from my local coordinator during my au pair year?
Your Local Childcare Coordinator (or LCC) will be an invaluable resource to both you and your au pair during your year. Not only does your LCC act as a liaison between you, your au pair and your Program Director, she or he will also provide advice as well as support throughout the year on practical issues. Watch the video for more details.
3 months ago by Susan RobinsonHow much time should I be spending with my au pair?
Families often wonder how much time they should spend with their au pairs. There is no magic formula because every situation is different, but there are some general guidelines.
Because the au pair program is a cultural exchange program, au pairs expect to be part of an American family – meals, holiday, family activities. But your au pair will also want to be with her friends and experience American culture outside of your home. Through understanding and communication, you can find a balance that works for both of you. Watch the video to learn more.
4 months ago by Susan RobinsonWhy should I consider hosting a Chinese au pair?
Au pairs from China tend to be older, more mature, well educated, very willing to take care of multiple children and help around the house and they have lots of experience caring for infants. Take a look at a Chinese au pair’s application the next time you are in the matching process — you may like what you see! Learn more by watching the video.
4 months ago by Susan RobinsonWhat’s the best way to handle my au pair’s curfew?
While your au pair’s primary responsibility while she is here is to care for your children, she is also here to make new friends, explore the U.S. and become more independent. So, it can be tricky to determine by what time she needs to be home each night. Watch my video to learn ways to ensure that your au pair’s curfew is fair to both your family and your au pair.
5 months ago by Susan Robinson
Cultural Care Au Pair provides flexible, affordable childcare to thousands of families across the country. Learn more about our childcare program.
Susan Robinson is Au Pair Answer Mom, host mom to 9 au pairs and Cultural Care Au Pair staff member for 13 years. She is excited to share her expertise with parents considering the program as well as families already hosting au pairs.
Natalie Jordan is author of Nat Chat; a column that provides our LCCs with words of advice and suggestions on topics ranging from meeting ideas to communication techniques and general tricks of the customer service trade.
Larissa Feigl is a Cultural Care au pair from Germany who lives with her host parents and three host children in Massachusetts. She arrived in July 2008 and extended her year for 12 more months. Larissa is excited to share what she has learned so far about the her experience with other au pairs.
Stephanie Rueter Stephanie Rueter is our Creative Director. She started with Cultural Care Au Pair in 2000 and has been our resource for program news, au pair and host family stories and event updates since then. Stephanie is also very involved with the Kids First program.
Kids First is Cultural Care’s outreach program that supports children in need. Read about our partners and projects and hear from members of the Cultural Care community who share what they are doing to help children worldwide.
