Nanny Agencies vs. Au Pair Agencies
Posted in Job Search Advice
Having a child to care for can sometimes be quite a big challenge especially for both parents busy leading their own professional careers. Outside of having other family members help care for their kids, some busy parents would consider having an au pair or a nanny to care for their child.
Parents should realize that there are many things different when it comes to either choosing an au pair or a nanny for some childcare help. Although both take on the main responsibility of caring for a child, differences exist on various aspects. Here are some of them.
Job Qualifications
In essence, au pairs are considered to have knowledge and experience on basic childcare. Au pairs are usually foreigners who usually enter into a government supervised au pair program offered to foreign countries with an objective of establishing some form of cultural exchange aside from offering just simple childcare duties. Au pairs are also considered as equals inside the household and are treated as such.
Nannies, on the other hand, are usually older and more experienced child care workers. Unlike au pairs, parents who hire the nanny usually establish an employer-employee relationship with them. Nannies follow rules set forth under contractual law and not under an exchange program that au pairs belong under.
Job Length
Au pairs usually only work for a certain family under the exchange program for one year. As such, most au pairs take this opportunity more as a chance to learn about other cultures rather than follow it as a career path. Nannies on the other hand, may enjoy extended employment depending on their contractual agreement with the family they serve. Most of the nannies also make a career out of their jobs in the process.
Job Salary And Taxes
Generally, au pairs are being paid lower than the usually more experienced nannies. Most experienced nannies have higher salaries depending on their experience and other additional responsibilities that they may take on such as cooking, cleaning and other household chores. Families who hire au pairs are also not required to pay employee related taxes whereas employment taxes are required when getting the services of a nanny.
