Au Pair and Host Family Taxes

With the tax season here, whether you are a host family or an au pair you may have questions about paying taxes.  The following URL will direct you to the IRS website that outlines the au pair program tax requirements:  http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=96420,00.html.

Go Au Pair is not licensed to give tax advice, so you should consult with a tax professional, however some helpful information can be found on Go Au Pair's website.

Your Placement Coordinator can also provide you with a letter from Go Au Pair that highlights some of the frequently asked questions--and gives the answers given directly from the IRS website given above.

Cabin Fever

I often wonder how children are able to spend every day stuck inside of a daycare center or in home daycare--where the caretakers are unable to take them out--without getting a bad case of cabin fever! 

I had a friend who cared for children at home and she complained to me that because she had various children from different parents who had different requirements and needs for their children, she was unable to go anywhere during the day.  She even had some parents who requested she not take her children anywhere--not even the park!  So, that left every other child she cared for stuck in the house with no outdoor time and no opportunity to explore and learn.

Then, you look at daycare centers.  They are unable to take the children on daily trips to the library, museums, malls, parks, etc.  It's just not feasable with the number of children they have and the different times they are coming and going, etc. 

So, here again, I go back to boasting about what a great childcare option having an au pair can be.  You don't have to worry about what other parents want, the au pair is there for YOUR FAMILY and only your family.  You don't have to worry about the few times a daycare center does take your kids out and have to wonder if there are sufficient adults to manage all the children--and if your child will stay with the group or get lost.  The au pair would responsible for YOUR CHILD(REN), and only YOUR CHILD(REN). 

I just read an article on babycenter.com about how important fresh air is for children and the importance of everyday outdoor time that will help build their sensory stimulation (the birds, the sun, the dirt) that can't be replicated indoors.  When you have an au pair, you run the show.  If you want your children to have outdoor time, museum time, library time, etc.  You tell her!  She'll make sure it's done.  I love that!  What a unique opportunity for your children to learn and to grow. 

Congratulations to the 2013 Au Pair in Excellence Winner!

Each year Go Au Pair invites families to nominate their au pair for theAu Pair in Excellence Award.  Host Families write nomination letters telling Go Au Pair why their au pair deserves to be recognized.  This year the winner is Phila Sozomblile.  You can read the families' letter here. Congratulations, Phila!!

Karla Lacomba was the runner up.  You can read Karla and the other nominees lettters on Go Au Pair's website:  http://www.goaupair.com/Host-Families/Choose-Go-Au-Pair/Award-Winning-Au-Pairs/2013-Au-Pair-in-Excellence. 

It's so fun to read the experiences families are having as well as see that each family has a unique situation that makes having an au pair such a great childcare option.  The quality of au pairs coming to care for children is apparent in the words of love an appreciation that each host family expressed in their letters.  It makes it such an honor to work with these wonderful young adults.

South African Au Pairs--February Feature!

Now is a great time to look at the au pair program if you are interested in a Native English speaking au pair.  Ilona (pictured above) is one of the South African au pairs who are currently available.

For the month of February, if you match with an au pair from South Africa you get a $100 off our program fees.

Check out the South African Au Pairs page at http://www.goaupair.com/Host-Families/Available-Au-Pairs/Featured-Country to see bios of our available South African au pairs.

New to the Area

It never fails, I am always finding new reasons as to why an au pair is such a great childcare option.  I recently moved to a new city.  I no longer live near my friends that I could call on for childcare help. 

Whether you stay at home, work outside the home, are married, or single, there are so many things an au pair could do to help out during and after a move. In addition to the obvious things (such as watching the children while you pack) here are a few others to consider:



--You have a long list of to-do's when you move (find a home, research then register kids for school, set up utilities, pack, unpack, etc).  How nice not to have to research daycare centers or other childcare options in the middle of all that choas!


--I went to apply for my new State License and to register my car.  Have you ever done that with kids in tow?  Not fun.  Then they tell me I have to take a written test and cannot have my children with me while I take it.  Not so easy to find someone to watch the kids when you don't know anyone.

--Date nights--it takes time to get to know people--especially that you feel comfortable enough to leave your children in their care.

Infant Care

If you're like me, you are protective over your infant.  I won't let just anyone take care of my sweet baby.  I need to be sure that they have experience with babies and that they feel comfortable taking care of them.  It's a lot different to take care of a 5 year old compared to a 5 month old.

That's why I think it's such a relief to parents that not only can they choose the au pair with the experience that meets their specific needs, but the Department of State goes one step farther in requiring that all children under age 2 can only be matched with an au pair with a minimum of 200 hours of care for children under 2--and it cannot be an infant that they are related to.  So, when host families are looking at applications, they know that the applicants they are reviewing have already been screened and have the infant experience they need.

New York Workshop 2013 Dates

Go Au Pair has just announced their dates for 2013's New York Workshop.  Host Families interested in having their au pair attend this training should keep these dates in mind when planning on your au pair's arrival.

January 14-17      
February 4-7        
March 4-7              
April 15-18                 
May 6-9                  
May 20-23              
June 3-6                
June 17-20            
July 8-11              
July 22-25              
August 5-8            
August 19-22        
September 9-12    
September 23-26  
October 14-17      
November 11-14  
December 9-12