Go Au Pair - Host Family Blog

Go Au Pair Participates in the March of Dimes Walk for Babies

Mon, 14 May 2012 14:15:52 GMT

As one of its Family Day Events, Go Au Pair’s staff members, Host Families and Au Pairs participated in the March of Dimes Walk for Babies to support ongoing research and prevention of premature birth. Go Au Pair has participated in this event in previous years and it has always been a great opportunity to support a good cause and participate in a cultural activity.

Go Au Pair's Local Area Rep featured at Au Pair Clearinghouse

Tue, 01 May 2012 15:45:12 GMT

Gloria Grabois, Go Au Pair’s Local Area Representative (LAR) in Central New Jersey and a 20-year veteran working with Host Families and Au Pairs, was recently interviewed by Au Pair Clearinghouse; the largest Au Pair agency review website on the internet. In this exclusive interview, Gloria talks about her experiences and what she’s learned about the cultural exchange program during her years working for as a LAR for Go Au Pair, as well as being a Host Mom for Au Pairs from 5 different countries!

Questions to ask your potential Au Pair

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:13:29 GMT

Interviewing your Au Pair is the most important step of the selection and match process for future Host Families. The interview will help you get to know the Au Pair applicants better and will allow you to evaluate their English skills. This blog post will provide some tips and commonly asked questions to help you maximize your interview.

Time Change? Change your diet!

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:06:20 GMT

Daylight Saving Time this year began Sunday, March 11 and lots of people are already enjoying more of the daytime. Au Pairs and children, specially, are able to go out more often and enjoy more outdoors activities. For this reason, it is important to increase your children’s energy levels, so they can keep up with all the fun they’ll have.

Parenting Differences around the World

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:06:17 GMT

Parents all over the world face many of the same situations when raising their children; however because of different cultures and traditions, they treat these circumstances differently. Having an Au Pair in your home provides a great opportunity to learn how matters are dealt with in their native country and is a great way to learn other parenting tricks.

The benefits of Au Pair Child Care for military families

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:43:16 GMT

While a great option for most families, military families in particular have benefitted tremendously from the schedule flexibility, cultural immersion and personal one-on-one attention provided through live-in Au Pair Child Care. We talked to Zena Button, a Go Au Pair’s Local Area Representative in Fayetteville, NC which is a military-heavy area and she explained some of advantages of hiring Au Pairs for military families.

Au Pairs from France

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:23:10 GMT

France is our feature country for the month of March. With a population of over 65 billion people, France is well known for its tourist attractions and cuisine. Paris is by far the major urban center and is the most-visited city in the world! According to the Paris tourism office, the capital welcomed 15.1 million international travelers in 2010.

What Au Pairs Can and Can’t Do - Part 2

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:03:15 GMT

Here are some more easy guidelines to help you understand what Au Pairs can and can’t do during their year:

What Au Pairs Can and Can’t Do - Part 1

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:01:04 GMT

The main purpose of the Au Pair Program is to help families and Au Pairs experience cultural exchange. For this reason, there are some rules created by the Department of State to help families and Au Pairs better enjoy the benefits of the program. Here are some easy guidelines to help you understand what Au Pairs can and can’t do during their year:

Au Pairs from South Africa

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:38:27 GMT

Go Au Pair’s feature country is South Africa. Families who match with an Au Pair from South Africa will receive $100 off the program fees in addition to other discounts available. We’ve talked to Go Au Pair’s International Representative in South Africa, Angel Jordaan and she shared some really interesting information about South African Au Pairs:

Becoming a better Host Family in 2012

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:58:14 GMT

January is when most people start working on their resolutions for the year that has just arrived. If you have an Au Pair in your home, or if you are in the process of becoming a Host Family, here are some ideas to become a Better Host Family for your Au Pair.

The First Three Days after your Au Pair Arrival

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:18:24 GMT

The first few days of an Au Pair arrival can be very exciting, your family is eager to get to know your new Au Pair and Au Pairs feel the same way. The first days are also a time of adjustments for both you and your Au Pair.

The role of Go Au Pair

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:15:47 GMT

The Au Pair program was launched in 1989 by the U.S. Department of State. It consists of bringing foreign nationals between the ages of 18-26 to live with a family in the United States, take university credits and overall improve their English skills, while offering child care and performing light housekeeping.

Record number of Chinese Visas processed in 2011

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:12:16 GMT

Last year, there was a 34 percent increase in the number of U.S. Visas processed for Chinese applicants. This is more evidence to show that the U.S.–China relationship is becoming evermore important as the two economies are becoming more and more intertwined.

Happy Holidays from Go Au Pair!

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:18:22 GMT

We at Go Au Pair, we would like to thank our Families, Au Pairs and Partners for a great year. We wish all a Happy Holiday season and look forward to another excellent year.

Helping your Au Pair be a safe driver

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:54:37 GMT

Au Pairs are accustomed to driving in their home country and not necessarily driving in the United States. There are going to be adjustments, which possibly may include driving on a different side of the road, manual vs. automatic transmission, the size of the car, and different driving rules and laws.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:46:30 GMT

If you plan to spend Thanksgiving Day with your Au Pair, here are some fun things you can do together:

November Featured Country – Australia

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:01:08 GMT

This month’s featured country is Australia. Families who match with an Australian Au Pair during November will receive $100 off their program fees!

Halloween safety

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:21:28 GMT

Along with Halloween and trick-or-treating also come some hazards parents need to be aware of. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, some of the main safety tips to be aware of for Halloween night include having your trick-or-treaters:

Flexible Au Pair arrival dates through Go Au Pair

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:42:08 GMT

Part of Go Au Pair’s mission is to provide families with flexible child care, from flexible Au Pair work schedules to selecting a personalized arrival date that works best for your family. We arrange arrival dates based on individual needs, which makes Go Au Pair unique.

Looking for a tax break? Consider an Au Pair!

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:51:48 GMT

For many American families, one of the biggest expenses is child care. An article in the Daily Finance explains how many parents may not realize they’re missing out on tax breaks they qualify for if they have an Au Pair! 6ABYEHMHBK49

Flooding in Thailand

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:09:21 GMT

Go Au Pair is saddened to hear about recent major flooding throughout Thailand. Our hearts go out to all Thai Au Pair families, current and past Thai Au Pair participants, and the 8.2 million Thailand residents affected by this natural disaster.

October featured country – China

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:38:54 GMT

This month’s featured country is China. Families who match with a Chinese Au Pair during October will receive $100 off their program fees!

Host Families play a role in preparing future business leaders

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:00:56 GMT

Host Families may not recognize the influence they can have in an Au Pair’s life. A recent article in the Los Angeles Times highlighted Judy Olian, dean of the UCLA Anderson School of Management. She is one of very few women in the country who is a business school dean.

Qualities of good Au Pairs

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:57:02 GMT

Host Families often want to know what makes a good Au Pair. So, we asked a couple of our Local Area Representatives to give their input from their experiences working with Host Families and Au Pairs.

First annual Utah Family Summer BBQ

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:59:01 GMT

Go Au Pair held its first Family Day Summer BBQ on August 26, 2011. It was a great opportunity for Go Au Pair staff members, Host Families and Au Pairs to have fun, eat good food, and meet each other. The event was organized by Erin Mortensen, Go Au Pair’s Local Area Representative in Utah.

Differences between child care norms across cultures

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:16:59 GMT

Cultural values and traditions influence the way in which a person cares for a child. Living in a new country requires time for adjustment for both the Au Pair and the Host Family. This adjustment includes learning how to care for children in a different culture.

Go Au Pair announces a new “Fees” page

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:35:19 GMT

Go Au Pair is excited to announce a new, easy to understand “Fees” page which gives a breakdown of weekly and hourly averages as well as other program fees. This new page was created to help families understand the affordability of Au Pair child care and compare alternative Au Pair child care types.

Cultural learning children's books

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:53:30 GMT

One of the greatest aspects of the Au Pair program is it allows for children to learn about new cultures and people of the world. Reading is another way to learn about new cultures.

Emergency Preparedness

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:09:54 GMT

The East Coast has recently experienced some unfortunate and uncommon natural disasters including earthquakes, high winds, flooding, and continued aftershocks.

Five tips to surviving back-to-school

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:27:21 GMT

Limit your children’s extracurricular activities. You may think you are helping your child develop more talents and become more cultured, but beware of overwhelming them. You, your Au Pair, and your children with all get burnt out if your children are involved in too many activities on top of school.

Back-to-school season with your Au Pair

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:44:06 GMT

As summer comes to a close and school starts up again, new schedules begin, kids will have homework, sack lunches will need to be made and your Au Pair’s responsibilities may change.

Get to know our SLC Local Area Rep

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 14:30:01 GMT

From haunted houses to barbeques, Salt Lake City Local Area Representative, Erin Mortensen, knows how to plan activities and help Host Families and Au Pairs have fun throughout their time together.

Determining Au Pair English proficiency

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:43:03 GMT

Go Au Pair’s International Representatives personally interview, in English, each Au Pair applicant to determine their spoken English proficiency. During the interview, applicants are required to answer a series of child care related questions in English.

Get to know our Chicago Local Area Representative

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:45:05 GMT

From opera singer to event planner to mother of two to Local Area Representative, Kristin Haverkampf is a well-rounded, experienced woman. Since January 2011, Kristin has been part of the Go Au Pair team.

Go Au Pair cluster volunteered at picnic for adoptive families

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:57:57 GMT

Au Pairs from the Philadelphia, Bucks County and New Jersey cluster shared their native cultures with children adopted from Russia, Ukraine and several other countries at a joint picnic in Pennsylvania.

National Kid's Day

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:50:29 GMT

There’s a Mother’s Day and a Father’s Day, so why not a Kid’s Day? Good news! Sunday, August 7th is National Kids Day. This is a day when parents are encouraged to spend more quality time with their kids.

El Salvador – August featured country

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:35:14 GMT

El Salvador is the smallest geographical country in Central America and the only Central American country that doesn’t have a Caribbean coastline. Spanish is the primary language and the majority of people are Christian. El Salvador has a tropical climate on the coast and a temperate climate inland. Salvadorans may greet you with a hand shake or a kiss on the cheek. Their main currency is the U.S. dollar and Salvadorans are known for being kind and hospitable people.

Meeting expectations

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 18:05:23 GMT

What will their driving skills be like? Can my Au Pair do laundry? How do I know they want to come for the right reasons? These are all concerns parents have when considering an Au Pair. This is why it is so important to interview your Au Pair well before making a final decision.

Go Au Pair rated #1 agency for 2011 by Au Pair Clearinghouse

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 18:03:24 GMT

Go Au Pair came out on top this year as the number one Au Pair agency! This year’s survey conducted by the Au Pair Clearinghouse showed Go Au Pair having above average ratings with the majority being highly positive.

Is your child a victim of cyberbullying?

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:36:51 GMT

It used to be that the home was a safe place where kids could escape bullying, but that's not necessarily the case anymore. Even though your kids are out of school for the summer doesn’t mean they’re safe from bullies. In this digital age, cyberbullying has proven to be one of the most popular forms of bullying for young kids and teens because it can be done anonymously and reach a large audience.

Summer Reading

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:53:33 GMT

Summer reading is an excellent way to keep kids minds active, especially since the kids are out of school. This summer, parents and Au Pairs can teach kids that reading can be fun!

Hearing scheduled in House of Reps to discuss continuance of J-1 visas

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:24:35 GMT

The Immigration and Enforcement subcommittee in the House of Representatives has scheduled a hearing titled “Does the J Visa Program Abuse Foreign Students and American Workers?” for October 2011.

Similarities and differences across cultures

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 13:06:36 GMT

When inviting an international guest into your home, the differences between your family and the Au Pair may become obvious, but it’s important to remember that we are all very much alike.Although we each have our own personality, facial features, likes and dislikes and so on, our DNA is nearly 100 percent alike.

A guide to culture shock

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:57:00 GMT

Welcoming an international Au Pair into your home is an exciting experience. However, it’s important for Host Families to be sensitive to the possible culture shock their Au Pair may go through upon arriving in America.

Fourth of July celebration!

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:29:13 GMT

Happy 4th of July to all our Host Families and Au Pairs! This weekend, make sure to get out and join in the local or national celebrations. Search out the best fireworks show in town or buy and light your own at home if it’s permitted in your neighborhood.

Au Pair cluster volunteers at picnic for adopted children

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:37:13 GMT

Au Pairs and a few Host Families from the Go Au Pair Philadelphia cluster volunteered earlier this month at the Pearl S. Buck International Picnic, an organization for internationally adopted children.

Understanding J-1 Visa denials

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:31:03 GMT

One of the main reasons why J-1 Visas are denied is if the Embassy thinks the Au Pair does not intend to return home. Au Pairs are considered “intending immigrants” until they can prove their reason to return to their home country is stronger than that of staying in America.

Au Pair program increases global understanding

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:50:08 GMT

Earlier this month, Representative Russ Carnahan (D-MO) of the United States House of Representatives spoke highly of the Au Pair program.

Father's Day Fun

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 16:02:17 GMT

Kids like to give their dads gifts for Father’s Day and often, homemade crafts are an inexpensive and fun way for them to do that.

J-1 Visas and the Exchange Visitor Program

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:11:28 GMT

A new J-1 Visa website for the exchange visitor program was recently launched by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. This is a useful tool for families interested in hosting an Au Pair. Families have access to other host family testimonials and experiences on this new website.

The Influence of Music

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 13:33:38 GMT

Music is a universal language. It connects human beings internationally as a form of communication understood by all. It’s important for parents to be aware of the kinds of music their children are being exposed to and how it may affect them.

Teach your Au Pair and children about Memorial Day

Wed, 25 May 2011 17:43:00 GMT

Many schools are closed for Memorial Day and your children may be home during the day. Consider taking your family and Au Pair to a nearby veterans cemetary to see the mirage of decorated graves. You can even bring flowers or homemade, patriotic decorations the kids have made to put on some of the graves.

Being bilingual is important in a globalized world and Au Pairs can help

Wed, 25 May 2011 16:36:44 GMT

One of the many benefits Host Families receive from their Au Pair is they bring a new culture and language into the home. In today’s increasingly globalized world and as America’s melting pot continues to become more diverse, knowing more than one language has proven to be beneficial, especially in the job market.

Groupon provides inexpensive activity options

Fri, 20 May 2011 16:12:40 GMT

Groupon provides daily deals at 50 to 90 percent off at local businesses in major U.S. cities, including those where Host Families are living. Host parents can find Groupons for their Au Pairs to use with their children.

Local Area Reps rated highly by Host Families

Wed, 18 May 2011 13:43:34 GMT

The Au Pair Clearing House published a new report for 2010 – 2011 on how satisfied Host Families have been with their Local Area Representatives. Go Au Pair is happy to report that no “poor” ratings were received! Overall, our Local Area Representatives were given highly positive ratings with the majority being “very good” or “excellent”.

Go Au Pair's website impacted by South East storms.

Thu, 05 May 2011 17:31:23 GMT

On April 27 and 28, the South Eastern part of the United States was affected by severe weather. According to the National Weather Service, at least 178 tornadoes raked 14 states, including Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and the Carolinas, making it the largest tornado outbreak in U.S. history.

Alternatives for the Au Pair Summer Program

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:09:55 GMT

The summer Au Pair program, which started as a pilot program with the U.S. Department of State several years ago, was not picked up as a regular program after the pilot was over. The Au Pair Summer Program is no longer an option for Host Families in the United States. Since it is a Department of State regulation, none of the 14 designated Au Pair sponsor agencies in the United States are allowed to offer Summer Au Pairs, so families should be careful to not get fooled by old advertisements.

Emergency Preparedness for Host Families and Au Pairs

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 17:00:39 GMT

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan is one of the many natural disasters we’ve been following in the past few years. Although much has been destroyed and many lives have been lost, the amount of damage in Japan has been considerably low, that is directly linked to Japan’s promptness and preparation for disasters like this.

Au Pairs in Washington, DC help raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospital

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:15:53 GMT

On Tuesday March 1st, Go Au Pair's Au Pairs from Washington, DC, along with their Local Area Representative, Melissa Knutson, went to the Columbia Heights neighborhood IHOP to donate to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital’s cause.

Go Au Pair Has New Logo and Website Design

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:37:33 GMT

Go Au Pair is excited to announce its new logo and website design. The change in the company’s logo and colors and the new website layout allows families and Au Pairs easier access Au Pair child care information.

Go Au Pair’s Managing Director Featured at Au Pair Clearing House

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 18:10:06 GMT

Go Au Pair’s Managing Director, Tanna Wilson, is featured on Au Pair Clearing House’s website, with an exclusive interview where she talks about the agency’s new features and the popularity of Chinese Au Pairs.

Chinese New Year

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:07:04 GMT

The Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is the most important social and economic holiday in China. According to the History Channel website, this holiday is a time to honor household, heavenly deities, and Chinese ancestors, and also a time to bring family together for feasting. “With the popular adoption in China of the Western calendar in 1912, the Chinese joined in celebrating January 1 as New Year's Day. China, however, continues to celebrate the traditional Chinese New Year, although in a shorter version with a new name–the Spring Festival.”

I am so glad I have an Au Pair

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:00:38 GMT

The Mid-West and East Coast have been hit with record breaking storms. From Texas to Maine, almost half of the country was affected by the bad weather. Most public schools called a snow day and cancelled classes, warning children to stay home.

Go Au Pair families featured in News Article

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:18:58 GMT

Early in January, two of Go Au Pair’s families and their Au Pairs were part of a news article in the Poughkeepsie Journal, a newspaper based in Poughkeepsie, New York. The article entitled “Many parents turn to Au Pairs, nannies and mannies to help with the children” explains what the Au Pair Program is and how this flexible and affordable child care option is becoming so popular, specially in the East Coast. A couple of our families from the area commented on the benefits of having an Au Pair.

“Make Mine a Manny” Go Au Pair featured at Care.com

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 20:22:03 GMT

Go Au Pair has recently been featured by one of the leading child care search websites, Care.com. Cari Dineen, a Care.com contributor, with the help of Meghan Ramirez, Go Au Pair’s Director of International Relations, and one of our Au Pairs, Douglas Freitas, talks about the increasing popularity of male nannies and male Au Pairs in the U.S.

The Alliance announces new feature on its website

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:28:00 GMT

The Alliance, the International Educational and Cultural Exchange, is an association of 76 nongovernmental organizations which includes the international educational and cultural exchange community in the United States. It focuses on promoting public policies that support the growth and well being of international exchange links between the people of the United States and other nations.

New Years Resolution: Au Pair Child Care

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:21:50 GMT

The beginning of the year gives us a great chance to rethink what we have achieved and what things we can do better in the new year. Increase in quality of life and balancing finances combine most things people are looking to improve.

Happy Holidays from Go Au Pair!

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 14:15:16 GMT

From all of us here at Go Au Pair, we thank you for a great year. We wish you all a safe and Happy Holiday season. We look forward to working with you in 2011!

Safety Driving Tips for Host Families and Au Pairs

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 14:12:18 GMT

Last Sunday, an Au Pair from Germany working with a family in New York, was killed in a car accident. She was driving northbound on Route 22 when she lost control of her vehicle due to icy roads and collided with a southbound vehicle.

Affordable Care with Au Pairs

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 12:00:49 GMT

In a recent article on child care in The Boston Globe, the author, Melissa Schorr, talked about her adventure searching for child care providers. Living in Massachusetts, she says her main problem finding a quality caregiver was cost.

The Influence of Chinese Au Pairs in America

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 12:38:03 GMT

China is our featured country for the month of December and in honor of it, families who match with a Chinese Au Pair in December will receive $100 off the program fees in addition to other discounts available.

Choose Your Au Pair Program

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 17:37:47 GMT

To be able to provide personalized services to our families, Go Au Pair offers five types of Au Pair Programs. In all programs Au Pairs are required to be between 18 to 26 years old, speak English, have previous child care experience, a high school diploma, and complete Go Au Pair's screening and training. All of these programs also combine flexible and affordable child care with the cultural exchange component; the main differences are in the qualifications of each Au Pair and the Education Requirements.

Avoiding Home Sickness

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 17:31:10 GMT

During this time of the year, many Host Families start preparing themselves for a sequence of family celebrations, starting with the upcoming Thanksgiving. Families from all over the U.S. often get together to enjoy each others company. Naturally, this time of the year is also when Au Pairs will miss their families back home and it is when home sickness might become a concern.

Snow Fun for Children and Au Pairs

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 17:05:30 GMT

If it hasn’t stated snowing in your area, it probably will in the next few weeks. There aren’t many places in the United States where it won’t snow at least once. Au Pairs should remember to be more cautious in the snow when caring for the children and especially when driving, but snow can also be really exciting! Kids, Au Pairs, and the whole family can have a lot of fun with it.

Online Resources for Au Pairs and Host Families

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 17:28:46 GMT

Families interested in Au Pair child care can find a lot information about this topic using the Internet. There are many online resources where families can find program requirements, family and Au Pair guidelines, fees, and testimonials from Au Pairs and Host Families around the world.

Go Au Pair Featured in Southwest Parenting Magazine

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 17:22:08 GMT

As Go Au Pair continues to educate families about Au Pair child care, media outlets from several parts of the country have featured stories about the many benefits of Au Pair child care.

Creating a Language Learning Environment with Au Pairs

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 14:43:51 GMT

In its “Education Nation” series of educational related stories, the Today Show featured a story about the importance of learning a foreign language while in elementary school. According to a Department of Education survey, Spanish is the most common second language taught in American schools and Mandarin is on the rise.

Halloween with your Au Pair

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 18:16:06 GMT

One of the most accepted theories of Halloween says it originated in the British Isles out of the Pagan Celtic celebration of Samhain, the final harvest of the year, and it dates back from 5 B.C. The Celts believed that in this day, the spirits rose from the dead to join the living. They left food for the good spirits and wore masks to drive out the bad ones.

Internet Safety for Au Pairs and Host Families

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 16:23:36 GMT

The Internet opens many doors to new information and is a great resource for research, entertainment, and shopping, but because most information online is public and available with just one click of the mouse it is also becoming a big concern among parents.

French Strike might Cause Delays with Au Pairs

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:38:21 GMT

Citizens in France are protesting a raise in the retirement age from 60 to 62 years old. The strikes are involving several classes of workers and even high school youth.

Vietnamese Au Pairs

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 02:56:53 GMT

Along with new diplomatic actions in the historical conference on the American Experience in Southeast Asia this week, where Secretary of State Hillary Clinton talked about cultural exchanges help shaping the post-war relationship between the U.S. and Vietnam, Go Au Pair is excited to announce the availability of Au Pairs from Vietnam.

Paraguayan Au Pairs

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:28:23 GMT

As one of the fastest growing Au Pair agencies in the United States, Go Au Pair has been going through constant additions to our variety of Au Pairs. We have been recruiting Au Pairs from all over the world and expanding our connections with many other countries. This month Go Au Pair has opened its doors to Paraguay and started recruiting Au Pairs from Global Education, the leading Au Pair agency in Paraguay.

Why Choose Go Au Pair as Your Au Pair Agency?

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 15:39:51 GMT

As an Au Pair agency, Go Au Pair rigorously reviews each Au Pair’s background screening, child care experiences and English skills. Go Au Pair also takes care of all travel and visa arrangements for your Au Pair. Local support for you and your Au Pair throughout the year are also an added benefit of Au Pair child care.

Help your Au Pair Drive in America

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 18:48:07 GMT

It is true that all Au Pairs are required to have an international driver’s license in order to drive in the U.S.; however, Au Pairs’ experience driving vary and even those with a lot of experience might need some help adapting to American roads and traffic rules. This is why Go Au Pair strongly encourages Host Parents to take some time to drive around with their Au Pair before giving them full responsibility with the car. Here are some tips on how to do it:

Local Area Representatives - A local resource for you and your Au Pair

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 12:07:34 GMT

In order to provide local support to Go Au Pair’s Host Families all over the U.S., we enjoy help from our Local Area Representatives. Local support is an essential part of the Au Pair Child Care. When reviewing the local support of an agency, parents should learn about the type of role their local representative plays in the matching processes and throughout the year.

Advantages of Live-In Caregivers

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 12:11:57 GMT

Among the many choices of child care available to parents today, live-in child care may be the option with most visible advantages from mornings to nights.

Help with Homework

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:28:43 GMT

Just the word homework makes many children and parents anxious. Many children lack the desire to continue at home, the work they started at school. In addition, many parents lack the time to sit down and understand the content of their children’s assignments, making it hard for both parents and children.

Choosing your Au Pair

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:34:11 GMT

Host Families seldom have the chance to meet their Au Pair in person during the matching process, but there are many ways you can get to know your Au Pair before they arrive to your home. Here are a few suggestions from Go Au Pair:

Go Au Pair is on the News

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:54:52 GMT

Go Au Pair is excited to be featured on KSL News Radio, one of the largest local media outlets in Utah. As the issues of child care become more omnipresent than ever, Go Au Pair is happy to help educate families in Utah about Au Pair child care as a viable child care solution.

Avoid Getting Sick at Day Care

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:58:30 GMT

One of the many appealing benefits of hiring an Au Pair is the fact that they watch over your children at your own home. Knowing that your children are being taken care off in a familiar and most importantly, safe environment, is most appreciated by our Host Families. The idea of your children being taken care of in your own home has obvious advantages, but sometimes we overlook the detriments from which we are saving our children.

New York Times Article on International Nannies

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:23:18 GMT

Speaking a second language is becoming an essential asset to not only have a good job, but to understand the world around us. In the United States, people don’t need to go abroad in order to need another language. Many places in the country, especially New York City, are now a melting pot of many cultures and consequently their languages.

Hillary Clinton talks about exchange programs

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 16:35:06 GMT

ExchangesConnect’s YouTube channel recently posted a video encouraging exchange programs. In the new video, Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State, talked about exchange programs and encouraged American families to host foreign youth in their homes.

Don't Get Fooled by Au Pair Program Scams

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:56:10 GMT

The Au Pair program is becoming one of the most popular child care options available. Consequently, there have been many scam attempts trying to mimic this program, targeting both Au Pairs and Host Families. Au Pair scams are very serious and have stolen money form prospective Host Families and Au Pairs all across the world. The safest way to avoid this type of problem in the United States is to find Au Pairs and Host Families through one of the U.S. Department of State Sponsor Agencies.

5 Things You Didn't Know About Au Pairs

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:04:02 GMT

Who Is An Au Pair? An Au Pair is a temporary assistant that works and lives alongside the family. The duties of an Au Pair varies but generally include caring for children and doing light housework. Compensation is given for these responsibilities. The Au Pair is given a private room and a moderate amount of spending money. An Au Pair should be suitably matched to the Host Family, before choosing one, you should be well-informed about what an Au Pair does.

Go Au Pair Announces New Partnership with Mi Oportunidad

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:27:27 GMT

Go Au Pair is pleased to announce our new partnership with Mi Oportunidad, an Au Pair agency in Panama. This partnership gives our Host Families a bigger variety of Au Pair candidates from which to choose. With a series of interviews and presentations, Mi Oportunidad finds and instructs the best qualified Au Pair candidates in the country.

Western Europe Au Pairs

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 17:09:58 GMT

This month at Go Au Pair we are featuring our Au Pairs from Western Europe. We currently have many Au Pairs from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland ready to match with a Host Family. These countries and Au Pairs share many European characteristics, but they are also unique in history, language or dialects and in many cultural aspects. Here are a few interesting facts about these Au Pairs.

Not just for the Rich and Famous

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:38:49 GMT

Many people think Au Pairs are only for the rich and famous. This misconception could not be farther from the truth. In reality, many parents choose Au Pairs because they are often times less expensive than day care, since there are no additional fees for multiple children.

The Dual Immersion Program Experience Success in Utah

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:53:21 GMT

The Dual Immersion Program in Utah has proved to be a great success. The program was first instituted at Granite School District in the summer and now the Utah State Office of Education expects that soon it could have up to 30,000 students enrolled in the program.

Swine Flu and Health Update

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 17:57:58 GMT

In an industry which facilitates the cultural exchange of international young adults to live in the homes of U.S. families while providing child care, Go Au Pair is closely monitoring the developments of the recent Influenza A (H1N1) or Swine Flu outbreak to review the impacts, if any, on the Au Pair program.