FAQ

Infant Specialized Au Pair Experience & Training

  • What is the difference between an Infant Specialized au pair and a standard au pair?
  • An Infant Specialized au pair is a trained au pair who specializes in infant caregiving and development. The Infant Specialized au pair has at least 200 documented hours of childcare experience with infants and children under two.

    Au Pair Care's Infant Specialized au pair receives training in Infant CPR by the American Heart Association and 5 days of intensive training in infant caregiving and development, in topics such as: establishing routines for babies, feeding, bathing, soothing, transportation and general household safety.

    She is also taught by certified instructors in baby massage and baby sign language to help nurture your baby’s healthy growth and encourage language development.

  • What type of training does an Infant Specialized au pair receive?
  • An Infant Specialized au pair receives 5 days of training and orientation in infant care and development. Topics that are covered include:
    • General household safety & hygiene
    • Infant care basics, including feeding, bathing, changing and transportation
    • Infant soothing techniques
    • Communicating with parents about infant care
    • Games and activities to stimulate infant mental development
    • Baby massage & infant sign language
    • Techniques to handle stress as an infant caregiver
  • Does an Infant Specialized au pair receive training in CPR or emergency safety, or any other specific training?
  • All Au Pair Care au pairs receive instruction in first aid and CPR at our Au Pair Academy. An Infant Specialized au pair attends Infant CPR and first aid training by the American Heart Association. In addition, she receives instruction from trainers certified in Infant Massage with Infant Massage USA ® and trainers certified in Infant Sign language by Baby Fingers, a leading Infant Sign Language learning organization.
  • Is an Infant Specialized au pair required to pass a CPR and First Aid Certification course?
  • An Infant Specialized au pair attends a full day course in Infant CPR certification by the American Heart Association. Due to the rigorous and technical nature of the CPR certification exam, Au Pair Care does not guarantee the au pair passing the Infant CPR certification exam. To date, more than 98% of Infant Specialized au pairs pass the certification exam.
  • How much experience does an Infant Specialized au pair have when they join the Au Pair Care program?
  • Au Pair Care's Infant Specialized au pair has considerable interest and experience caring for infants, ages 0-12 months and has at least 200 documented hours of experience working with children under the age of two.

Infant Specialized Au Pair Fees

  • Does it cost more for an Infant Specialized au pair?
  • Au Pair Care host families will pay an additional $950 at the time of match with an Infant Specialized au pair. This cost includes the overseas recruitment of au pairs with specific interest and experience in caring for infants.

    It also includes the 5-day hands-on Infant Specialized training and orientation program at our Au Pair Academy in New Jersey. Your au pair will receive training and demonstrations in infant caregiving and development. Topics include: establishing routines for infants, feeding, bathing, soothing, transportation and general household safety. Au Pair Care's Infant Specialized au pair will also be taught baby massage and baby sign language by certified instructors to help nurture your baby's healthy growth and encourage language development.

  • Does an Infant Specialized au pair get paid more than a regular au pair?
  • An Infant Specialized au pair receives the same weekly stipend as an au pair in the standard program. View au pair program costs.

Infant Specialized Match & Selection

  • I have a 14 month old. Can I still get an Infant Specialized au pair?
  • Yes, using our EasyMatch™ system, you have the option of reviewing both Infant Specialized au pairs and standard au pairs. You can also contact our Matching Experts to help you select the perfect au pair for your family. All au pairs available to host families with children under the age of two have 200 or more hours of experience caring for children under the age of two. Au pairs designated as Infant Specialized au pairs are also required to attend the Infant Specialized training program. If you find a candidate who is not designated as an Infant Specialized au pair, you can opt to have that au pair attend the Infant Specialized au pair training at the time you request your match. Au Pair Care host families will pay an additional $950 at the time of match with an Infant Specialized au pair or a standard au pair that you would like to attend the Infant Specialized training.
  • What if I find an au pair in the Infant Specialized au pair pool, but I do not want to pay extra for the au pair to go to Infant Specialized au pair training?
  • There is an additional $950 fee due upon matching with an Infant Specialized au pair. Within our online matching system, EasyMatch™, you can see our entire pool of au pairs, including Infant Specialized au pairs and standard au pairs. Families with infants are not required to match with an Infant Specialized au pair.

Infant Specialized Duties & Responsibilities

  • Can an Infant Specialized au pair care for an infant under three months old?
  • According to Department of State guidelines, an au pair cannot be the sole care provider of any infant under the age of three months. Infant Specialized au pairs have extensive knowledge and training in caring for infants, 0-12 months of age, and can assist in any aspect of childcare for a child, 0-3 months of age, while a parent or other designated caregiver is present. After the child is 3 months old, the Infant Specialized au pair can be the sole care provider for the child.
  • Does an Infant Specialized au pair work longer hours?
  • An Infant Specialized au pair receives the same weekly stipend as a standard au pair. According to Department of State guidelines, an au pair cannot provide care for more than ten hours per day or exceed 45 hours per week.
  • Can an Infant Specialized au pair care for a child older than two years of age?
  • An Infant Specialized au pair can help care for a child who is over 2 years of age, in addition to being highly qualified to care for very young children. The focus and specialty of an Infant Specialized au pair is for infants under the age of 12 months.
  • Can an Infant Specialized au pair care for twins and/or multiple children?
  • Yes. An Infant Specialized au pair receives Infant Specialized training, which includes how to care for twins/multiples. Find out about our special Multiples Discount.
  • Can an Infant Specialized au pair care for my child during the night to help with a sleeping schedule?
  • Yes. An Infant Specialized au pair receives training in infant care and development, which includes establishing a routine for a baby, infant soothing techniques and infant care basics, such as feeding and sleep schedules. You will need to communicate with your au pair on a schedule that works for the family regarding night feeding and sleeping schedules. Keep in mind that according to the Department of State guidelines, an au pair can provide up to 10 hours of care per day, not to exceed 45 hours of care per week.
  • Can my Infant Specialized au pair sleep in the same room as my infant to help with sleeping and feeding schedules?
  • Au Pair Care is a Department of State designated agency and regulations indicate that all au pairs must have a private bedroom for their own use. Your baby cannot share a bedroom with your au pair.
  • What if I don't like my Infant Specialized au pair once they get here?
  • Your local Area Director will work with you to solve any issues that may arise. We will start by identifying the issue and attempt to solve the problem through mediation and guidance. If this approach is unsuccessful, you have the option of receiving a replacement au pair.
  • What do we do if there is an emergency with our Infant Specialized au pair?
  • If you are unable to reach your local Au Pair Care representative, we have a 24-hour answering service. In the event of an emergency after hours, you will be connected to an Au Pair Care on-call staff member.
  • How old are Infant Specialized au pairs? Do their ages differ if they have more experience?
  • According to the Department of State guidelines, all au pairs, including Infant Specialized au pairs, range in age from 18 to 26 years old. Using Au Pair Care's EasyMatch™ system, you can narrow down your search based on age, language, nationality, ability to drive and ability to swim. All of our Infant Specialized au pairs are highly qualified and receive intensive training, in addition to their extensive experience and considerable interest in infant care.