If your family could use a little extra help with the children, there are many great options to choose from. In addition to daycare and traditional school, au pairs and nannies provide valuable services for busy families around the world.
Here is a comparison of the role of an au pair vs nanny to help you decide which type of child caregiver is the best choice for your family’s needs.
The Role of an Au Pair
Au pairs are typically young adults between the ages of 18 and 26 who obtain a cultural exchange visit to the U.S. in exchange to live with your family and care for your children. These individuals participate in a government-sponsored au pair program but don’t necessarily make a career out of childcare work.
The Role of a Nanny
Private nanny jobs involve providing professional care for children as well, but these individuals typically live in your community and are not traveling from another country on a short-term basis. Private nannies can provide custodial care during a parent’s absence, coordinated care alongside a parent, or surrogate care as the primary caregiver.
Pros and Cons of Au Pairs & Nannies
Depending on what your child’s needs are and what your goals are for your child, an au pair or a nanny may be the best choice. Au pairs help children gain exposure to a new culture and possibly a new language as well. This is a great opportunity for kids to learn about food, music, and traditions from other parts of the world. Au pairs also provide affordable childcare options for parents on a budget. However, au pairs may not have as extensive of a background in childcare as a trained nanny would. There may also be a language barrier that hinders communication between an au pair and your child. Another consideration is that you may not be able to meet your au pair in-person before making a hiring decision. However, Skype interviews may help put parents’ minds at ease.
Since nannies are career caregivers, nanny salaries tend to be higher than au pair salaries. One of the benefits to hiring a nanny is that parents can hire a nanny on a trial basis and meet the nanny in-person before hiring. Nannies also have a strong desire to work in a childcare setting, learn about child development, and often have experience with both basic needs and education. In contrast, providing childcare may not be the primary motivator of an au pair coming to the U.S. for a new and exciting personal experience.
Choosing a Caregiver for Your Family
Au pairs tend to be great options for families with kids that are a little older, while nannies are often best suited for young children and kids who need specialized care. However, the level of care provided varies greatly depending on the individual hired for the job.
Regardless of which type of professional you hire, it’s important to have background checks, reference checks, and driving experience verifications conducted. It’s also important to be able to communicate with your household staff member in an efficient and pleasant way. In conversation and in writing, always establish expected responsibilities, commitments, schedule conflicts, and length of stay.
At Household Staffing International, we are experts in private nanny jobs and can help you decide whether a nanny is the best option for your family. You can browse our candidates to learn more about nannies’ past experience and how they may be able to help your children too. Contact us to learn more and get one step closer to finding the perfect caregiver for your child!