Rising Costs for Au Pair
I read your article about the rising costs for Au Pairs and found it frighteneing. Any one have any suggestions about how to keep the cost down?
I read your article about the rising costs for Au Pairs and found it frighteneing. Any one have any suggestions about how to keep the cost down?
Rising Costs of Au Pair Child Care
Hi John,
Yes, I understand what you are saying - it seems everything has gone up from dogfood to diapers! In this weak economy money is scarce and parents are scrambling to find inexpensive childcare without compromising their childrens' well-being. Au pair care is still the most affordable care today if you need full-time coverage. Daycare and nanny costs are through the roof and for that reason we continue to recommend au pair agencies because of the cultural experience they provide and their relatively low cost.
One thing you may consider is the Educare program - this gives you less hours (30 per week) but you will pay less (usually around $200 a week compared to $360- $400 a week for 45 hours). Most of the larger agencies have the Educare program - check out our article "Top Three Industry Leaders."
If you live in Florida and in select parts of New Jersey, Expert Au Pair is one of the least expensive programs. They are a small, family owned business that provide good customer service and are the only agency that we know of that only hires local support counselors that they find through personal contacts! They are also reviewed here on the website under the "Top Three Industry Leaders."
We hope these suggestions help and good luck to you finding the right chlldcare option for your family. Let us know how you do.
Warm regards,
Edina Stone
A comparison of the average weekly cost
When people are comparing Cultural Care and Au Pair in America pricing they need to be sure they are comparing apples to apples. On the Cultural Care website, they list their own average weekly cost at $320/wk and other leading au pair agencies at $400/wk. I am not sure how they calculated that amount, because Au Pair in America's average weekly cost (without any discounts) is actually $335/wk.
Here is what I came up with, when I checked the math:
Program fee + application fee + stipend divided by 51 = average weekly cost. I get slightly different numbers that those published. For Cultural Care, I came up with $322.83 and for Au Pair in America, I came up with $334.60. That's only a difference of $11.77 per week.
Add to that the fact that Au Pair in America offers more generous program fee discounts and you can easily pay the same or less with Au Pair in America. Transferring families save $700 and current host families are eligible for multiple discounts of $500+, that may be combined.
Au Pair in America offers Educare, which is 30 hours/week for an average weekly cost of just $264.
So, I would recommend that prospective host families crunch the numbers for themselves.
Christine Connally
Senior Community Counselor
Au Pair America
Au Pair Costs
Hi Christine,
Thank you for taking the time to comment here on au pair costs and fees.
You make some good points here, and I do agree, parents have to "crunch" the numbers and make the best choice for their budget and childcare needs!
Any savings that parents can get, in these hard economic times, it important!
We will crunch your numbers and get back to you.
Au Pair in America has a good reputation and have good counselors (I am sure you are one of these great counselors!) and that is why we listed them in our Top Industry Leaders for 2009.
Thank you again for commenting on our website!
Cultural Care Agency Will Not Raise Fees in 2009
Cultural Care Au Pair Agency has decided NOT to raise fees in 2009. Natalie Jordan, VP of Cultural Care said that "due to the economy" the agency has decided not to raise fees in the new year. This is one reason to check out this agency. Au Pair in American plans on raising their already high fees in 2009, making them the most expensive au pair agency in the industry.
I hope this information helps parents trying to decide which company to go with, especially if they are working with a tight budget!