Frequently asked questions for Aupair USA

Q 1. What are the eligibility requirements?

A. You must be:

Be 18 to 26 years-old and in good health;
Have a genuine love of children and previous childcare experience;
Speak and understand English and be a secondary school graduate;
Have an international driver’s license and a minimum of 50 hours of driving experience;
Documented childcare experience;
Have a Valid Passport;
Be a non-smoker or be prepared to stop smoking if required by the host family;
Be of good character and receive a police clearance report;
Physically and emotionally healthy;
Be prepared to commit to 12 months away from home;/li>
Have not previously lived in the U.S. as an au pair.

Q 2. What is the duration of the program?

A. The program is for 12 months

Q 3. How long do I have to wait to be accepted into the program?

A. This depends on how early you complete and send in your application form for processing. It might take 2 to 3 months time to prepare and verify all the documents with all the references checked. We need to be extra careful so that your application will not be categorized as ‘incomplete or pending’ which will delay your acceptance into the Au Pair program.

Q 4. Can I choose the family and/or the location?

A. Yes, you can choose the family and/or the location. Your decision of choosing the right family should be based on your own expectations and capabilities. You are advised to choose the family that you are most comfortable with (do not forget that host families have their right to choose too). As for the location, you can choose which state you want to be in, but it is wise for you to choose the host family that you are comfortable with as your main priority and not the location.

Q 5. How long after I apply does it takes to match with a family?

A. Depending on your au pair qualifications, it can take anywhere from three to eight weeks for you to be matched with a family. Once you are matched, you and your host family will agree on a US arrival date. You will have a minimum of four weeks after being matched in order to prepare for your arrival.

Q 6. What is my role as an Au Pair?

A. As an au pair, you provide up to 45 hours per week of childcare. Childcare duties will take up no more than 5 ? days a week and no more than 10 hours per day.
All au pair duties will be focused specifically on the children; no heavy housework is required. Some daily tasks may include:

Waking the children, dressing infants and toddlers, bathing and playing games with them;
Preparing meals for the children, tidying their belongings, making their beds and doing their laundry;
Driving the children to or from school appointments and activities;
Caring for and watching the children while they are asleep if the parents are not at home;
Sharing apart of your home country with the children through games, story telling, cooking, language and love.

Q 7. What are the working hours?

A. Each host family has their own working schedule. Some might request you to work in the morning and some might not. It all depends. Generally, you will work 45 hours maximum per week, not more than 10-hour per day for only 5.5 day. You will have 1.5 day off per week and a full weekend off (Friday evening to Monday morning) once a month. You are entitled to 2 weeks paid vacation during the programme and an optional 30-day travel period at the end of your program.

Q 8. Do I get paid?

A. Yes A direct weekly payment from the host family.

Two weeks paid vacation; one full weekend off per month;
A $500 educational allowance;
Private room and full board (meals included).

Q 9. Will accommodation be provided?

A. You will be matched with an American host family (in most cases), who will provide full board and lodging – a private room of your own and free meals.

Q 10.Am I allowed to choose the departure date?

A. Yes, you can choose the departure date based on your own availability (when you think you will be fully prepared to leave for your Au Pair year) as long as the departure date mentioned is fine and accepted by your host family.

Q 11. Is it Mandatory to have a driver’s license to apply to the au pair program?

A. Yes. Most host families need their au pair to drive their children. You must have a valid international driver’s license in order to be accepted into the au pair program.

Q 12. Do I need to pay to go on this program?

A. Yes

Q 13. What is included in the program fee?

A. Participants get:

to participate in a program that is run by the fastest growing au pair agency in the US;
access to one of the largest host family networks;
4-day orientation and training program in New Jersey , Washington, D.C. or New York City;
administrative support services throughout the application and matching processes;
legal sponsorship (obtaining DS 2019) necessary to apply for your J-1 visa;
assistance with applying for your visa (you must pay the visa related costs);
medical and travel insurance for the duration of your program;
constant year long support while in the USA.

Q 14. When do I need to pay?

A. Pre-interview fee 500 JMD.
Registration fee after pre-interview is passed successfully 100 USD.
First part of the program fee 100 USD is to be paid after successful interview and before sending application to American families.
Second part of the program fee to be paid after placement is confirmed 300 USD.

Q 15. What is the cancellation policy?

A. Pre-interview fee is non refundable Registration fee is non refundable.
First part of the program fee is refundable only if placement is not confirmed.
There will be no refund after placement confirmation.
In case of visa denial first part of the program fee is non refundable.
In case of cancellation or visa denial the refunds are made within 30 days.

Q 16. When should I start my application?

A. You are advised to apply as early as 3-4 months prior to your intended arrival date.

Q 17. When can I apply?

A. You can apply anytime of the year because the Au Pair USA program is open year round, as long as, during the time of application, you are not over the age of 27 counting from your date of birth.

Q 18. Do I source for my own host family?

A. No. There will be many qualified host families in Global Choices au pair networks for you to select and interview with during the matching process.

Q 19. How do I apply?

A. First, please ensure that you meet all the requirements.

Step 1
Make an appointment at the office to come in for a pre-interview.
Step 2
Pay your registration fee of 100 USD after successfully passing the pre-interview. Please be advised that the registration fee is non-refundable.
Step 3
Upon returning your application form and all other Documentation you are required to make part payment of your program fee 100 USD.
Stage 4
Another interview will be conducted between you and the host family via telephone. After we have received confirmation from the host family of chosen candidate you will be contacted and the necessary arrangements made. You are now required to pay all the remaining fees 300 USD.