How to Choose Whether a Nanny or an Au Pair Is a Better Fit For Your Family

Parenthood is a beautiful thing – and having somebody watch your kids for a few hours so you can work, run errands, or, you know, catch a few hours of uninterrupted sleep is even more beautiful. Maybe you are a new parent interested in learning all your options. Maybe your kids are older and just need after-school supervision. Or, maybe you don’t want your kids in the same child-care situation as before the coronavirus, and are looking for something with less exposure to germs.

No matter what your reason is, hiring an au pair or a nanny might be the right decision for your family! But instead of waiting for the perfect person to fly to your house on an umbrella like Mary Poppins, it’s important to learn about your options. Keep reading to learn about a few key differences between an au pair and a nanny, so you can find the right one for your family.

What is an au pair?

No, “au pair” is not just a fancy French word for “nanny.” The phrase actually translates to “on a par” or “equal to” and refers to someone from a foreign country who is considered part of his or her host family, as opposed to just an employee. Think of an au pair like a foreign exchange student, who will stay with the United States-based host family for a minimum of 12 months in order to earn money while they attend school. According to the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, au pairs are between 18 and 26 years old and must complete at least six hours of academic credit at an accredited US post-secondary educational institution while living with you. They will also be fully vetted and interviewed by an organizational representative from an approved sponsor chosen by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Additionally, au pairs have some extra restrictions regarding caring for babies under 2 years old. For example, an au pair can’t be placed with your family until your baby is at least 3 months old (unless you are planning on being in the room the entire time). They also can’t be placed with children under 2 years old without having 200 hours of documented infant-care experience. And if your family has a child with special needs, the au pair can’t be placed with you unless he or she has identified prior experience, skills, or training in the care of special-needs children, and the family has acknowledged that training in writing.

What is a nanny?

According to the International Nanny Association (INA), a nanny is a child-care specialist of at least 18 years, hired by a family to provide expert care and personal attention to the children. Depending on your needs, your nanny can work full-time or part-time, take care of infants, help children develop healthy sleep schedules, and take care of the children’s basic needs and social outings according to your agreed-upon preferences. Often, a nanny will also have specializations, certifications, extensive experience, and/or a college degree in early-childhood education.

How many hours do nannies and au pairs typically work?

The au pair program has strict requirements set by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and will provide up to 10 hours a day or 45 hours a week of child care. You can also get an EduCare Au Pair to take care of your children before and after school, but they can only work a maximum of 30 hours per week and have some other rules as well. You also must give an au pair one weekend off each month, from Friday evening to Monday morning, and provide a minimum of two weeks paid vacation annually.

On the other hand, a nanny will work 40 to 60 hours a week, with two scheduled days off. The INA also states that most nannies receive employee benefits, such as two weeks of paid vacation annually, paid holidays off, paid sick days, health insurance or a percentage of their health-insurance premium paid, and an annual bonus, among other perks.

Do nannies and au pairs perform other tasks besides child care?

Most of the time, your au pair will not do any tasks aside from child care and light chores related to the kids (such as cleaning their used dishes or doing their laundry). They are here to experience American culture, take classes, and take care of your children only. However, if you hire a nanny, you can negotiate that they do certain household chores that aren’t directly related to the kids, such as sweeping, vacuuming, or doing all the dishes.

How much do nannies and au pairs charge?

If you hire an au pair, the details are worked out with the help of the sponsor program. Since the host family is required to provide meals and a place to live, the salary is less. According to InterExchange, a nonprofit international exchange organization, an au pair is paid a minimum weekly stipend of $195.75 per week and up to $500 per year for educational costs. You will also have to pay a fee to the sponsorship program that helps arrange the au pair, which can vary. Au Pair USA, for example, charges $8,990, which includes international travel for the au pair, training, monthly check-ins, and accident and sickness insurance, among other things.

The price of a nanny can vary depending on where you live, but Care.com lists the average hourly pay for nannies in 2020 as ranging from $14.25 an hour to $22.55 an hour. If they work the same 45 hours a week, this adds up to between $641.25 and $1,014.75 per week. Keep in mind that nannies with more experience, or who are watching more than one child, will charge a higher hourly rate. Also, you will have to pay employee taxes for a nanny, but not for an au pair.

Do they have to live with you?

Yes, for an au pair, you are required to provide a private room as well as three meals a day as part of the agreement you sign with the sponsorship organization. If you aren’t comfortable with this or can’t accommodate someone in your home, choose to hire a nanny. When looking for the right nanny, you can specify if you want someone who will live with you or not.

There are pros and cons to both nannies and au pairs, especially during this time of a global pandemic. If your child’s caregiver lives with you, it may help minimize your family’s exposure to germs. On the other hand, host families are encouraged to treat their au pair like a member of the family, inviting them to meals, family events, and vacations, which can be challenging if you prefer alone time.

How do I find one for my family?

To hire an au pair, you must go through a sponsor program approved by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Once you find one, you can talk to them to learn more about host-family requirements, the selection process, payments, and other details.

To hire a nanny, you can use a service, such as Care.com or SitterCity.com, where you can describe what you are looking for in a caregiver and receive applications from vetted nannies. You can specify what qualifications you’re looking for, such as experience caring for an infant or a child who has special needs. Another option is simply to ask around: friend referrals are priceless!