Au Pair, Nanny or Daycare? Evaluating Your Childcare Options

Whether you’re expecting your first child or already have one or more kids at home, you’re probably concerned with finding an affordable childcare arrangement that’s beneficial and nurturing for your children.
When evaluating different childcare options, you should take several key factors into account, including:

Safety

Your child’s well-being is your utmost concern. No matter what childcare arrangement you choose, you should make sure that anyone who cares for your child has ample experience, certification and training.
Au Pair USA requires all of our au pairs to undergo a child health & safety program that includes instruction on general child health and wellness issues, First Aid and CPR training, and other safety-related topics. In addition, any au pair who will be caring for a child under the age of 2 must have at least 200 hours of proven experience caring for children of that age.

Cost

With household budgets getting tighter than ever, it’s even more challenging to find childcare that’s both affordable and high-quality. The exact cost of childcare depends on where you live, the number of children you have, the type of care provider, and the number of hours you need care.
It’s not unusual to pay up to $600 a week for a full-time nanny who does not live with your family.
With Au Pair USA, the total cost of full-time, live-in childcare is about $330 per week. (That includes the au pair’s weekly stipend plus the program fee.) Even if you have more than one child, the rate stays the same.

Location/Environment

Your child should enjoy a safe, nurturing, and productive environment throughout the day. The location should provide age-appropriate toys, activities, and excursions. Additionally, the location should be convenient and easily accessible to you.
With an au pair, your child enjoys the comfort and familiarity of your own home environment. Plus, it eliminates the hassle of struggling to meet a specific pick-up time every day.

Ratio of children to caregivers

Each state has strict regulations regarding the maximum ratio of child-to-childcare providers. Generally speaking, a low ratio is more desirable, since your child will have more time and attention from the caregiver.
Au Pair USA offers one consistent childcare provider for your family. You can rest assured that your child or children are receiving focused, individual attention every day. Plus, because they’re at home, it’s easy to reach your au pair or your children anytime you need to—and they can easily pick up the phone and contact you as well.

Flexibility

In an ideal world, your childcare needs would be completely predictable. In the real world, this is rarely the case. You may have to work late one night, or maybe you have to make an early-morning meeting. And what if you need someone to watch your kids for a few hours on the weekend?
Daycare centers are businesses, and as such they have strict opening and closing times. Many centers charge parents for each extra minute their child is at the center past closing time.
Live-out nannies usually want to adhere to specific schedules as well from week to week.
Au pairs offer you a greater level of flexibility with your schedule. Available up to 10 hours a day, up to 45 hours a week, they can provide care when you need it—whether that’s in the daytime, the evening, or on the weekends.

Consistency

Children thrive on consistency. The longer a caregiver works with your family, the better your children can bond with her or him.
In a daycare center, staff turnover can be high.
If your nanny quits unexpectedly, you may have to scramble to find replacement childcare.
Au pairs are committed to stay with your family for at least a year, and can extend with your family for up to 2 years. In the unusual event that an au pair cannot complete her or his stay, Au Pair USA will find a replacement.

References

It seems obvious, but before you entrust your child to someone else’s care, you need to check out their character and background. At a minimum, ask for three references from people who know the caregiver well.
Au Pair USA screens all of its participants thoroughly, and we only accept applicants who meet our high standards. All of our au pairs are interviewed in their home countries by an international representative who partners with Au Pair USA. The international representative also gathers the following information for you to review as you select your au pair: a police clearance report, a personal reference, two child-care references, proof of secondary education and a personal essay.
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