Are you weighing au pairs vs. nannies to hire? It’s a good idea to get informed about both your options before you make your choice. Both types of childcare have pros and cons and it’s important to weigh your decision carefully to figure out what option works best for your family. Here are a few things to consider when you’re weighing an au pair vs. nanny.
What is a Au Pair? What is a Nanny?
- An au pair is a foreign young person who comes to the United States to work in exchange for housing under a prescribed set of guidelines and weekly stipend.
- A nanny is a broader term to refer to anyone a family employs to look after a child or children in the household.
- Nannies are typically residents of the United States.
- Nannies can be live-in or live-out, while all au pairs must be live-in childcare providers.
- Au pairs may or may not have prior childcare experience, so it’s important to check with the agency if a candidate has worked with children before.
- Nannies can provide full-time or part-time childcare for your family, depending on your needs.
- Au pairs typically provide up to 45 hours of childcare a week.
- Both au pairs and nannies can provide household upkeep services. If you’re working with an au pair agency, it’s important to find out exactly what services an au pair will provide. If you’re screening a nanny, you can discuss individual job duties with an applicant.
- If you’re looking for an au pair, you must find one through one of the approved U.S. Department of State agencies.
- If you’re hiring a nanny, you have a range of options. An online database, such as Nannies4Hire.com, word of mouth, nanny agencies, and job boards are all places you can find a nanny.
- Au pairs may speak little English causing a language barrier.
