Young adults known as au pairs go to another country to work as live-in babysitters for a host family. They often receive accommodation and board as well as a weekly stipend while working for up to a year. But are au pairs compensated? Yes, however it’s crucial to comprehend the specifics of their remuneration.
Regardless matter how many hours they work, au pairs in the US must be paid a minimum of $195.75 each week. Based on the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, this is. Au pairs, however, are not considered employees under American labor laws, and as a result, they are not entitled to overtime pay or other benefits that are provided to regular employees.
Au pairs are provided with housing and meals by their host families in addition to their weekly stipend. It also gives you access to common living areas and utilities in addition to a private bedroom. In addition, host families are responsible for giving their au pair access to transportation, whether it be a personal vehicle or public transportation.
Even though the pay for au pairs may appear low compared to other live-in child care choices, such nannies or private governesses, many families strongly value the program’s emphasis on cultural exchange. The chance to experience a new culture, learn a new language, and form enduring relationships with their host family and community is available to au pairs. Speaking of governesses, some people might be curious in the current state of this traditional type of live-in childcare. The answer is yes, though less frequently than in centuries past. Typically, women were recruited as governesses to educate and take care of the children of affluent households. They were frequently assumed to be single adults without children who resided in the family’s home.
It’s interesting to note that some governesses did wed while serving a family. The governess would typically abandon her employment upon marriage, however in rare situations the family would have permitted her to continue working for them. Governesses were frequently not considered to be lifelong family members, but rather as transient fixtures in a family’s home.
It’s also important to remember that while governesses were typically employed by wealthy households, this was not always the case. Middle-class families who could afford the cost frequently employed governesses to give their kids more education and care than they themselves could.
What about watching after impolite kids, last but not least? Any child care provider, whether an au pair, nanny, or babysitter, faces this frequent difficulty. The secret is to set up and continuously enforce clear expectations and boundaries early on. It’s crucial to approach punishment in a calm and courteous manner and to talk freely and honestly with the kids and their parents.
In conclusion, au pairs are compensated, however not in the same way as other types of workers. Even though they are less popular than in earlier ages, governesses still exist today. And when it comes to watching unruly kids, it’s important to set up clear limits, speak honestly, and apply discipline in a dignified and considerate way.
You should be ready to talk about your prior experience with kids, your availability, any relevant qualifications or training you have obtained, your approach to discipline, and your prices for services when you go in for a babysitting interview. Asking the parents about their expectations, the children’s routines and requirements, and any particular instructions or worries they may have is also vital. A list of references and other papers or documentation requested by the family, such as a background check or documentation of CPR certification, should also be brought.