Au Pairs as a child care option

Lori Brust, a Local Childcare Coordinator for Cultural Care Au Pair, provided us with some information about how Au Pairs are an economic option for childcare.

One consequence of the current economic crisis is that more mothers are working. More new moms are remaining in the workforce and at-home mothers who had decided to put their careers on hold are having to return to work. With an increase in dual income households comes an increase in the demand for quality childcare.

In some cases, this rising demand is driving up childcare costs. According to a recent report by the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, the price of child care is rising faster than the average rate of inflation. The report, which provides typical prices of child care in centers, reveals that over the course of a year, the average price of full-time center care increased an average of 6.5 percent, almost three times the rate of inflation and more than increases in healthcare and college costs. Escalating childcare costs is having the greatest effect on the nanny business. A recent Wall Street Journal article estimated that full time nanny hiring is down between ten to thirty percent.

Au Pair programs, however, have been able to meet the growing demand for childcare with an affordable option for working parents. Cultural Care Au Pair is a childcare and cultural exchange program based in Cambridge, MA, that places au pairs across the country including approximately 300 au pairs in Long Island. Demand for au pairs is growing. Data from the U.S. Department of State, which regulates the au pair program, shows that nearly 22,000 au pairs came to the United States last year, up 44% from 2004. With hundreds of available, qualified au pairs, Au Pair programs are able to meet the needs of families looking for quality childcare.

Lori Brust, local coordinator for Cultural Care in Long Island, has seen an increased interest in the au pair program among local families.  Au pairs can provide up to 45 hours per week of child care which works out to be less than $7.50 per hour, regardless of how many children you have. In this current economic climate people are looking for flexibility as well as affordability. Cost conscious parents need to be creative with their childcare solutions as parents take on additional jobs or work longer hours. The au pair program is an attractive option because it allows parents to set a schedule that works for them on a weekly basis, provides in-home care for their children and introduces children to other cultures.

Lori Brust is a local childcare coordinator for Cultural Care Au Pair in Massapequa Park, who spends her days connecting New York families with au pairs from around the world and helping families find flexible and affordable childcare. Lori welcomes your questions about the au pair program and can be reached at 516-797-8373 or by email at Lori.Brust@lcc.culturalcare.com.