Sarah Vogel is a Cultural Care local childcare consultant with Cultural Care Au Pair. In this role, she helps families decide if hosting an au pair the right childcare solution for them and provides year-round support to host families and au pairs in Bethesda and Chevy Chase. Sarah is also the co-founder of DC Baby, an organization that supports new and expecting parents through networking and educational programs. Her most challenging and rewarding role is being a mom of two little ones (ages 2.5 and 4.5).
“What should I do about childcare?”
It’s a question I’ve heard many times personally (as a mom of two) and professionally (as the co-founder of DC Baby). And it’s not always an easy one to answer. From scouring listservs for nanny recommendations to waiting for a coveted spot in a daycare center; finding the right childcare for your family is no simple task. Especially in the DC area, which boasts the highest childcare costs in the country.
One option many parents have heard about, but haven’t considered for themselves, is hosting an au pair. Au pairs are young people from around the world who provide live-in childcare for American host families for up to two years. This cultural exchange program is regulated by the U.S. State Department. All au pairs have childcare experience and undergo a multi-step screening and training process before joining their host families.
Often, people will tell me that the au pair program sounds great, but they aren’t sure about having an au pair live in their homes. It’s natural to feel a bit uneasy about having a new person live in your home, but there are three big benefits to choosing this option for your family and for your children. These include:
Are you intrigued? I’d be happy to talk to you and share more information about this childcare option. You can also check out my other blog post written for Beltway Bambinos reader on tips for finding the right au pair to welcome into your home!
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