More than 60% of the
Host Families repeat with the program year after year.
The number of one
priority for a Host Families is the safe care of their children by a loving
caregiver. In addition, every family may look for something slightly different
in an
Aupair because of
their personal circumstances. What may be important to one family may not be as
important to another. For example, a family with active sports oriented children
may look for an Aupair who is comfortable being at home much of the day.
Each family will
identify the childcare experience and skills they need along with the
personality traits that seem most compatible with the family's lifestyle.
There are some traits however that can be considered more attractive to Host
Families. Based on Aupair USA's experience, Aupair candidates who have some
or all of the following traits will be more desirable:
·
Significant Childcare
Experience
Applicants who demonstrate through his/her application that he/she has had consistent involvement in the care of children over a period of time are more likely to be selected by a Host Family. Applicants who have accumulated all of his/her childcare experience in a recent short period of time (presumably to qualify for participation in the Aupair program) or applicants who have not recently cared for children will be more difficult to place. Applicants who can provide numerous childcare references from individuals for whom he/she has baby-sat are more desirable.
The diversity in the ages of the children cared for by the applicant and the extent of responsibility the applicant has had for children will be important to any family considering his her application. Applicants, who have cared for children both during the day and through the night as opposed to those who have only watched children for an hour or two after school, will be of greater interest to American Host Families. An applicant who indicates that he/she has experience in all aspects of baby care (diapering, bathing etc.) will be of greater interest to families with babies than someone who has only watched a baby in the evening while the infant is asleep.
An applicant with formal childcare training, one who is knowledgeable in child safety and development or applicants with previous nanny experience will find many families interested in his/her application.
· Strong English Language Skills
The ability to speak conversational English and to understand what is being said is important to families particularly as it related to both the safety and development of their children. An Aupair who understands and speaks reasonably well is more likely to be able to handle emergency situations (i.e. communicating with poison control, or hospital workers in case of an accident). As many host children are young and newly developing their language skills, families often look for strong English speaking skills | |