Choosing the right childcare for your family is a difficult and important decision.
If you’re looking for reliable and experienced childcare care, it’s important to know the difference between a nanny and an au pair.
What is a Nanny?
A nanny is a professional childcare provider who is paid to provide childcare care for your family.
In most cases, nannies are highly experienced and can have childcare qualifications in Early Childhood, Children’s Services or a Bachelor’s degree in Education. They can be following a professional childcare/nannying career or maybe studying and working as a nanny part time.
A nanny typically has full responsibility for the care of your children and duties can include:
Getting children up in the morning , taking them to activities, school/daycare , providing after school care, supervising homework, providing meals, and assisting with bath/bedtime routines. They can also assist with household management duties.
Families become the employer of the Nanny, and as an employer you are responsible for paying your nanny correctly and fulfilling your tax obligations and other employer responsibilities. Its important to seek professional advice to avoid any issues down the track.
What is an Au Pair?
An au pair is a cultural exchange program for young adults aged 18-30 (or up to age 35) and are from overseas. An au pair lives with the family, providing childcare in exchange for room and board. Au Pairs are not usually qualified childcare professionals and the level of care they provide can vary considerably.
Families do not generally employ Au Pairs as they are engaged as a Cultural Exchange, however for this to be considered a cultural exchange there must be evidence of this, therefore au pairs must be allowed plenty of time to explore, travel or study during their stay and must be treated as a family member not as an employee.
Typical duties of an au pair are basic childcare such as playing with the children, assisting with meals and helping with light housework. Before and after school care, and taking children to activities.
However, they are not typically expected to provide round-the-clock care and its not advised they care for children overnight.
What are the Benefits of an Au Pair?
An au pair can provide your family with a unique cultural exchange experience, both for you and your children. They can introduce your children to their culture, language and customs and may even be able to support language learning. In addition, au pairs may be able to provide additional duties such as light housework, helping the family run errands or driving children to and from activities.
An Au Pair provides families with very flexible childcare and support around the home and can also provide weekend & evening babysitting.
Au Pairs can be paid weekly pocket money instead of a wage making this the most affordable type of childcare.
What are the Downsides of an Au Pair?
The downside of an au pair is that they are not professionally trained and wont have the same level of experience as a nanny. Their motivations differ from a Nanny in that they are here for an experience not as a career so their level of commitment may not be the same. They are generally school leavers on a Gap Years so their life experience may be minimal.
Families need to provide au pairs with support and training and help to settle them in.
Do I Need an Au Pair?
Whether or not you need an au pair will depend on your family’s individual needs. An au pair may be a great choice if you’re looking for a cultural exchange experience for your family and have the space, and need extra help with light housework and errands.
However, if you need full-time, professional childcare, a nanny is a better option.
Most nannies live out, however some nannies can live in too.
Its important to carefully consider all of the factors before deciding which type of childcare is best for your family.
Dream Nannies help families to discover the best options and make recommendations on the most suitable type of childcare
Dream Nannies recruits Au Pairs and Live in Nannies as well as Live out Nannies
Book a call to discuss your needs