What’s an Au Pair
An au pair is typically a young woman or young man, who is accepted into the host family as an extended family member and helps the family with childcare, housework, or both while staying as a guest of the host family and generally receiving (pocket money) a small allowance.

Basic Application Criteria:
1. Must be aged eighteen (18) to twenty-six (26) years old.
2. Have professional or practical childcare experience for at least six (6) months or two-hundred (200) hours.
3. Hold a full driving license.
4. Agree to commit to a full year’s stay in the USA and be prepared to provide up to forty-five (45) hours of childcare a week.
5. Have completed their secondary school education.
6. Speak English to a good standard.
7. Have no criminal record.
8. Have not previously been an au pair in the United States of America.

The Rules:
The rules of the Au Pair Program in the US are clear: au pairs are provided a private bedroom, meals, remuneration tied to the minimum wage (US$195.75), one and one-half days off weekly plus a full weekend off each month, two weeks’ paid vacation, and the first US$500 (US$1,000 for EduCare Au Pairs) toward the costs of required course work to be completed at an accredited institution of higher education in order to satisfy the requirements of the educational component of the program.

Au pairs are not to work more than ten (10) hours a day and forty-five (45) hours per week and are paid for their work according to the Fair Labor Standards Act as interpreted and implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor. While performing their duties, they are also not to serve as general housekeepers or assume responsibility for household management.

Getting Started:
Need to get started? If so, view the designated sponsor list to apply or sign up with GreatAuPair. Since 2001, GreatAuPair has helped over 1,000,000 families and care providers safely connect online for local and international care jobs. GreatAuPair provides a valuable service through the entire life cycle of a family – from au pairs, nannies, baby sitters, tutors, housekeepers, special needs care, pet sitters, personal assistants, and personal chefs to senior care. The award winning GreatAuPair website enables families to find trustworthy care providers with confidence.

GreatAuPair makes it safe to connect online through advanced security measures and a Parent Editorial Team™ that carefully screens all profiles. GreatAuPair’s proprietary 30-point anti-fraud system indentifies potentially abusive or fraudulent activity and eliminates it immediately. Customers remain in control of their own privacy through a secure double-blind email system. Professional, friendly support staff is available every day via email and phone to ensure each customer’s success.

With thousands of new members each week, GreatAuPair is the original and most trusted international job matching service used by families to find affordable, trustworthy caregivers, providing a safe place to easily connect, get advice and hire with confidence.

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