An au pair is more than a childcare provider; she’s a temporary family member and part of your parenting team. When you host an au pair, you will be responsible for some extra expenses.
Discussing these expenses with your au pair ahead of time is best to avoid any surprises and hurt feelings.
Room and Board
If you host an au pair in your home, you will be responsible for her living expenses. This includes a private room in your house and all meals she will provide during her stay with you (excluding dinners out with friends). Some families cover expenses like gym memberships or bath products, but host families are not required to pay for these items.
The au pair cost includes various factors such as program fees, stipends for the au pair, room and board, insurance, and sometimes additional educational or cultural activity expenses within the program. You should also expect your au pair to have some personal recurring expenses such as clothing, cell phone charges, and entertainment. Consider helping her with transportation costs when she is not working for your family.
The minimum au pair stipend, education allowance, and room and board are subject to change based on any revisions to the Exchange Visitor Program regulations for Au pairs. The Department of State reviews these rules to improve the program and enhance au pair safety.
Sponsors must ensure that au pairs receive their stipend and other compensation and benefits (like paid time off) as agreed to in the Host Family Agreement. They also must be able to quickly and equitably find new placements for au pairs who cannot remain with their original host family for any reason.
Transportation
In addition to the au pair stipend, host families are responsible for covering transportation costs. This includes gas, tolls, parking fees, and public transit costs (bus, subway, train). You can also decide if you want to cover the cost of a cell phone for your au pair.
A cell phone can help your au pair stay connected to family members. It can also be helpful for her to navigate the area where she lives and work, especially when traveling to classes or meetings. You can decide whether you want to cover the total cost of a phone or just a portion of it.
You must discuss expense responsibility with your au pair before they arrive so there are no surprises and everyone understands their responsibilities. This will help avoid conflict or hurt feelings later on.
If you need to address any issues during the year, your au pair’s program sponsor will be available to help. Program sponsors have a thorough understanding of the au pair placement and will be able to guide all parties toward a mutually acceptable solution. They will also be able to ensure that any changes do not impact au pairs’ compliance with the program rules and regulations.
Cell Phone
In addition to the program fees, au pairs are responsible for their expenses. While some families choose to cover the costs like a gym membership or bath products, you must talk with your au pair about what you expect them to pay for and discuss the best way to handle these situations. This will prevent conflict and hurt feelings should you change your family’s expectations at any point during the year.
Regarding cell phone costs, the Department of State recommends that sponsors require au pairs to use a plan with a flat monthly rate that includes unlimited data and texting. This will ensure that au pairs can communicate with their sponsor and are aware of any limits on their plan so that they don’t get overcharged at any time.
In addition to cell phone costs, host families should be prepared to pay for the au pair’s monthly stipend and any overtime required by applicable federal, state, or local laws in their jurisdiction. This will help au pairs feel supported and safe, knowing they will be paid for their work hours. The Department of State believes that reducing the maximum weekly childcare hours for full-time au pairs will benefit both au pairs and their host families by allowing them to engage in cultural exchange activities while providing adequate rest and leisure time.
Personal Expenses
Au pairs can expect to incur personal expenses with a host family during their year. These might include clothing, bath products and cosmetics, gym membership, and tickets to concerts or other events. Some families cover these expenses for their au pair to show appreciation and add extra fun to the program. However, discussing expense responsibility with your au pair at the beginning of the program is essential so that everyone’s expectations are clear.
You should provide your au pair with a budget and schedule to help them manage their costs. This will ensure they understand their weekly stipend and how it will be used with room and board and other expenses. Additionally, it will help them plan for unforeseen expenses. It is also essential to communicate with your au pair about their work hours so they can know the maximum number of childcare hours allowed under Department of State regulations. This will help avoid conflicts regarding their compensation and the hours they must work each week to meet their financial responsibilities. If your au pair needs to rematch, you must communicate with them about how this process will work so they can make informed decisions promptly.