date can be set. He/she may face charges, have to pay a fine, remain in jail and/or perform community service depending on the nature and severity of the crime. He/she will have to pay the attorney's fees if required. Aupair USA will not provide "bail" funds to get an Aupair released from jail. Nor will the program pay for lodging while the Aupair awaits a court hearing date. If the Aupair is found guilty of criminal charges, he/she will forfeit his/her Completion Bonus and will have to pay his/her own transportation home (provided he/she is allowed to leave the United States).

Use of illegal drugs, or possession of drugs that have not been prescribed by doctor for the Aupair, are against the law and will result in the Aupair's termination from the program.

Failure to respect the Host Family's home and possessions

Irresponsible behaviour in the Host Family's home will not be tolerated. Careful and responsible use of the family's home and possessions (including the car) both when the family is at home and away is an important part of gaining the family's trust. An Au Pair should not host a party or invite guests into the Host Family's home without permission from the family. Nor should an Aupair assume that he/she is entitled to use anything in the home without permission of the Host Parent. Care should be taken when operating home appliances and the Aupair is expected to maintain his/her room in a neat and orderly condition.

Use of the car/driving ability

In order to enable the Aupair to take advantage of the social and cultural opportunities in her new community, Host Parents are strongly encouraged to allow the Aupair to use the family's car. Often, driving the Host Children to and from school and activities will be a large part of his/her childcare duties. Therefore, it is important that the Aupair give an accurate account of his/her driving experience on his/her application and during the interview. The Aupair should tell the Host Family the length if time that he/she has been driving, how often he/she drives on a weekly basis, and under which conditions, and the kind of roads he/she feels comfortable driving.

An Aupair's ability to drive as soon as he/she arrives is often one of the main reasons that a Host Family selects one applicant over another applicant. If the Aupair arrives and the Host Family finds that he/she overstated his/her driving skills and experience and therefore cannot carry out his/her childcare duties, the year will be off to a bad start.