An au pair is a young person from another country who lives with you and helps with childcare and household tasks in exchange for room and board. Hosting an au pair is a great way to find highly flexible childcare and a unique opportunity for cultural cooperation.
However, it’s important to consider the hidden costs of having an au pair.
1. Transportation
Hosting an au pair is a great way to get the help you need at home without paying full-time nanny prices, especially from a reputable au pair agency. But before you make the decision to hire one, it’s important to be aware of the hidden costs associated with this type of childcare.
First, you’ll need to consider the cost of an au pair’s travel expenses to the United States and back. Depending on the country, this can be expensive. However, it’s also important to keep in mind that the host family can choose to cover these costs for their au pair if they wish to do so.
In addition to travel expenses, you’ll also need to consider the cost of your au pair’s personal transportation needs while she is with your family. This may include things like gas, car insurance, and maintenance. Whether or not you decide to provide your au pair with a vehicle and pay for its usage will be up to you, but if you do, make sure that you set clear boundaries ahead of time. For example, is it okay for your au pair to transport her friends or drive on overnight trips?
Some host families also opt to provide their au pair with a cell phone. While this is not required by the program, it can be a nice way to show your appreciation for their hard work. Moreover, it can be a useful tool for communicating with the family when the au pair is not at home.
2. Insurance
Au pairs need to be covered by insurance while they are working and living with the host family. Host families should discuss this with their au pair and include it in their agreement so there are no surprises when the bill comes. The amount of this expense will vary depending on the host country rules and the specific au pair’s situation, so be sure to check the Info Host Countries section for more detailed insurance information.
Cell phone and data plans are another common expense that au pairs will need to pay. Some host families choose to provide their au pair with a new or used cell phone to help them stay in touch while they are not together and others choose to just give their au pair a cash allowance for the cost of a plan.
There are also additional costs that a host family may need to cover in addition to the room and board for their au pair. These could include:
The au pair program fee – the one-time payment that goes to the au pair’s program that sponsors their visa, conducts interviews, and does all of the other things needed to prepare for their au pair arrival (including providing flights).
Accident and liability insurance – to cover the au pair in the event of an injury or accident while on duty with the host family. Some host families offer this to their au pair as well, which can be a great way to show appreciation for their hard work.
Educational expenses – up to $500 per semester toward the language course required by the State Department, plus class materials. Many host families opt to pay for these because they see this as a good way to support their au pair’s growth and development.
3. Cultural Activities
Welcoming an au pair is more than a childcare option, it’s also an opportunity for cultural exchange. As an international exchange student, your au pair will bring customs, traditions, and perspectives from their home country that can enrich your entire family’s experience together. This first-hand exposure to another culture fosters open-mindedness and promotes understanding in a very real way.
The cost of these activities depends on the arrangement made between host family and au pair, but many families choose to include their au pairs in as many family outings and vacations as possible. From baseball games to a night out at a theater, or simply a dinner with the whole family, these little moments make for memories that last a lifetime.
In addition, some au pairs are given a leisure activity allowance or have their costs covered by their host family for things like movies or restaurants. These outings are a fun and exciting way for au pairs to immerse themselves in American culture, and it’s a wonderful way to build close connections with their host family.
Some au pairs are also given language study expenses by their host families. This is a great way to encourage their learning while allowing them the freedom and flexibility to work as much or as little as they’d like while with the host family.
Despite what some people may think, the biggest cost associated with hosting an au pair isn’t the agency or the program. It’s the resentment and frustration that can be caused by a host family who demands too much from their au pair, such as working more hours than allowed or asking them to do more than they should.
4. Entertainment
The amount of “hidden” au pair costs a family incurs can be minimal or significant, depending on the arrangement between the host family and their au pair. For example, many families choose to pay for their au pair’s entertainment expenses like movie tickets or museum admissions in order to show appreciation and help her enjoy her time in the US. This can be a great way to make the experience a little bit more special for everyone involved.
Other costs that may arise can be things like clothing and personal items, a cell phone with a shared data plan (if you want to provide her with a phone), household items like particular toiletries or a cable box in her room, etc. Some au pairs also take a language course during their stay, which typically requires the host family to cover the cost of that as well.
It is important to discuss these costs with your au pair before she arrives so that there are no surprises and you both understand what is expected of each other. Some families even include these costs in their contract with the au pair in order to avoid any potential misunderstandings.
Overall, the hidden au pair costs are minimal compared to other childcare options such as daycare or hiring a nanny. In addition, hosting an au pair is an incredible cultural exchange experience that can be very rewarding for your entire family. Keeping these costs in mind as you consider your options for childcare can help you decide whether or not an au pair is the right fit for you and your family.
5. Food
Hosting an au pair can be a hugely beneficial experience for both host families and au pairs. However, it’s important to consider all of the potential costs associated with this arrangement before committing to it. Having a plan in place and extra savings set aside can make the difference between success and stress for all parties involved.
For many families, the benefits of an au pair are worth the additional expenses they may face. In addition to saving on daycare costs, au pairs are able to provide a more personal touch than traditional childcare. They also offer an opportunity to expose children to a new language and culture, which is invaluable for their education. In addition, au pairs are typically paid more per hour than other childcare solutions and have the added bonus of working from home.
Some au pairs will have additional expenses beyond private room and board, such as phone and internet charges, personal clothing items, basic toiletries and cleaning products and cultural/recreation activities with the family. Host families can choose to reimburse au pairs for these additional expenses or pay out of pocket.
It’s also important to note that any costs incurred by the au pair during on-duty hours are tax deductible. These include the au pair’s stipend, agency fees and transportation costs.
Another cost to consider is any additional childcare needs the au pair may have outside of regular work hours, such as school closures or snow days. While this is not a common cost for most au pairs, it’s still something to keep in mind when planning your budget. In most cases, au pairs find these out-of-the-ordinary expenses to be well worth the extra expense because it enables them to provide their kids with additional care without relying on friends and family members.
