Okay, I confess, I used to think only celebrities and the 1% hired a nanny. Folks that could afford a chef, a driver and other staff to take care of their household chores. However, after talking to other parents and learning more about the services nannies and au pairs can provide, I’ve found that was a false assumption.
I really wish I would have done more research when our kids were younger, as it could have been an alternative to traditional childcare for us. Part-time nanny, live-in nanny, au pair, oh my! There are so many caregiver names that it can quickly become confusing when you are trying to figure out what your options are. So what is a nanny and au pair and what do they do?
A nanny is someone who provides care for one or more children in a family’s home. Usually, a nanny will care for children full-time, while both parents work. Many nannies, especially here in Des Moines, are what are called “live-out” nannies and have their own place to live. But there are also traditional nannies who live with the family which are called “live-in” nannies.
Many nannies have specialized training or a degree in child development. They work with parents to create daily schedules and activities that will help their children to grow mentally, physically and emotionally. Nannies may also help with meal preparation, household chores, driving kids to and from activities and assisting with homework.
Nannies have a lot of responsibilities within their chosen profession and it’s common for nannies to earn a weekly salary, have taxes deducted from their paychecks and work year-round for a family. It’s also expected that nannies receive at least two weeks of paid vacation a year and earn holiday pay as well.
Some families only need someone to care for their kids on a part-time basis. Maybe on certain days of the week, only after school or when a parent is traveling. But they want a caregiver who will be more involved than a typical babysitter. A part-time nanny may be the answer for families trying to juggle responsibilities.
An au pair is a young adult aged 18 to 26 and is an international visitor who has traveled to the United States on a Visitor Exchange Visa. They come here to acquire a better understanding and appreciation of American life while living with a host family and caring for their children. They may also do some light household chores.
All au pairs and their host families make a commitment to participate in the program for 12 months. Au pairs may or may not be seeking a career in childcare work. The main objective of an au pair placement is the mutual cultural exchange – within an informal setting. They reside with the host family free of charge and receive a monetary allowance. The amount of hours they can work is defined by the U.S. State Department in the Code of Federal Regulations.
Both nannies and au pairs can assist with childcare responsibilities and become an integral part of your parenting team. Whether or not a nanny or au pair is a good childcare option, really comes down to your family’s needs and preferences.
Would you hire a nanny or au pair to care for your children? Let us know in the comments below.
