Founder of AuPairClearinghouse.com |
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By: Edina Stone Posted: 2010-09-18 06:49:20 |
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Au Pairs and Safe, Quality Childcare Choices.Hiring a childcare giver is one of the most important things you can spend time on - as a parent you want to ensure your choice is a safe one. Why? Because your child’s well-being is your utmost concern! You can choose from daycare, nanny services, private babysitters, and of course, from the au pair programs. No matter what childcare arrangement you choose, you need to make sure that anyone who cares for your child has experience, certification and training.Research on Parent's Priorities when Seeking Childcare
Reports show that American parents consult a range of different information sources when seeking childcare options for their children. Over 80% of parents go online for information to about childcare. According to the National Child Care Information Center (childcare.gov), parents' first priority when seeking childcare is safety. Parents in the United Kingdom consider the quality of services the most when making a decision about childcare - a poll of 1,700 parents was conducted by Netmums (UK online forum and on behalf of the Department for Children, School and Families) found that over 90% of parents consider safety and quality of services first when considering childcare options. Au Pair Agencies - Safe, Quality Childcare? Au pair agencies requires all of their applicants to undergo a rigorous screening process before they are allowed into the cultural exchange program as au pairs. Once the au pair is matched with a family but before they arrive to the home where they will spend the next 12 months, each agency conducts a child health and safety program that includes: •General Child Development Education •Child Health & Wellness Class •First Aid & CPR Training •Driving in the U.S.A •Roles and Responsibilities as an Au Pair In addition, any au pair who will be caring for a child under the age of 22 months must have at least 200 hours of documented experience caring for a child of that age.The au pair agency training and documentation of childcare experience is required by Department of State, the government program that supervises the cultural exchange (i.e., au pair) agencies.However, not all au pair agencies are the same - some screen their au pairs better than others, some have better au pair training schools where the required training orientation takes place. You need to do your homework - go online and research all the au pair agencies near you. Call their local representatives and meet them - ask yourself, "Would I work well with this person if I had a problem with my au pair?" Compare prices! Some agencies are very expensive without any additional features compared to other agencies. Read review and opinion websites who rate au pair agencies and collect host family complaints. Check out the local Better Business Bureau's rating of the au pair agencies you are interested in. Don't hire an au pair before you do your homework. An Educated Parent Makes the Best Childcare Choices! |
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