Families throughout Middleburg are discovering that live-in childcare is more often becoming the most affordable and beneficial childcare solution. Middleburg community residents and business owners Tom and Lisa Patterson enjoyed their Finnish au pair, Nanna, who formed a terrific bond with their daughter during her 18 month stay. Nanna regularly took their child on strolls through town to the library, playground and, of course, school. Nanna, whose program period recently ended and is now back in Finland, "became an integral member of the family and is missed greatly," says Tom Patterson.

The Boehmer Family, whose au pair is from Poland is also happy with their match. Natalie Boehmer says it has been wonderful to have Justyna take the kids outside to enjoy long walks and play in the creek, as well as read books and work on crafts indoors. The easy connection between the au pairs and the children is a daily comfort for these host families, who are finding, like many host parents, that the live-in au pair program provides a high level of flexibility and one-on-one care for their child at a reasonable price.

"The program is really affordable when you note the advantages of the program to both the host family and au pair," says AuPairCare Area Director, Shannyn Snyder, who supervises the Piedmont area cluster. "You can set the hours, which reach beyond the normal Monday through Friday daycare hours to include evenings or weekends. The au pair can do laundry, organize, drive children to and from school and activities, and provide bath and bedtime help"

Of course, those are not the only perks of the program, as au pairs often teach their host children various songs and words in a foreign language, motivate and help with homework, play with them in their playroom or in the backyard, and especially during the summer months, au pairs offer parents a solution for childcare when kids are out of school.

AuPairCare charges a $300 application fee and a $7,195 program fee, which includes the au pair's transportation to the United States, training and medical and accident insurance. For families who do not want to pay that upfront, there is the option of a payment plan. In addition, host families must provide their au pair with a $500 educational allowance and a private bedroom, meals and a stipend that is calculated by the State Department and tied to the federal minimum wage. The current au pair wage is less than $160 per week but it will increase to approximately $177 per week on July 23, 2008, corresponding with the federal minimum wage increase. The combined program fees and au pair stipend sum up to be a little more than $16,000 a year or approximately $315 per week. This is less than the cost of daycare for two children.

"If you compare the cost of a live-in nanny, which is the only other type of childcare that can offer the same flexible hours and duties, it can cost up to $1,000 per week, according to Costhelper.com, and families must pay payroll taxes and medical insurance, along with many other hidden costs," says Ms. Snyder. "Traditional childcare is still available through daycare centers, but the hours may not be compatible with some host family's schedules. Many nurses, doctors, flight attendants and other host parents enjoy the flexibility of being able to make their own schedule and the kids are safe at home," continues Ms. Snyder, "and quality childcare can be difficult to find and costly."

If you have more than one child, in particular, a complicated work or evening schedule and many child-related duties at home, the au pair program can be a great savings.

Ms. Snyder invites families to view the helpful program information found on the company's website at www.aupaircare.com or contact Shannyn Snyder at 703-369-7088 or aupaircare@jeff-snyder.com for additional information and a valuable $0 application fee coupon.

AuPairCare continues to build a thriving and enthusiastic au pair community in the Middleburg and Aldie areas. If you are interested in being a part of a rewarding cultural exchange childcare program and would like to open your heart and home to an au pair, please contact AuPairCare!