Weigh the pros and cons of an au pair versus a nanny or day care and you may be surprised! Au pairs provide the best of both worlds—the individual attention and convenience families are looking for at an affordable cost.
Disadvantages of Daycare
- High cost and “per child” rates
- Hassle of transporting children to and from the daycare facility
- Inflexible hours and expensive late fees
- High staff turnover and staff inexperience
- High child-to-staff ratio
- Long wait lists
- Lack of coverage when children are sick
- Tendency to expose children to colds and other illnesses
Disadvantages of Nannies
- High cost and salary variability
- Lack of quality candidates
- Lack of a qualified agency in the area
- Lack of night or weekend coverage
- The hassle of verifying legal work eligibility
- Absence of a back-up plan if they fall ill or quit
- No regulation or support from a third-party agency or staff member
Differences between an au pair, nanny and day care
Affordable monthly cost
An affordable childcare solution regardless of the number of children you have.
Up to 45 hours of care per week on a schedule you set
The ability to create your own childcare schedule week-to-week.
Convenience of a live-in caregiver
Peace of mind that comes with knowing your caregiver is close by.
Assistance with household duties
An extra helping hand with kids’ laundry, meals and room pick-up.
Caregivers qualified in CPR/AED and First Aid
Knowledge that your childcare provider is certified in adult and pediatric CPR/AED and First Aid.
Opportunity for cultural exchange
Exposure to a new culture, language and way of life.
Learn more
Discover more benefits of hosting an au pair with Cultural Care.
1Monthly minimum average cost to host an au pair, regardless of the number of children the au pair cares for. This cost includes the agency fees and the minimum weekly stipend paid directly to the au pair for 51 weeks, including 2 weeks of paid vacation. Does not include incidental costs of hosting an au pair, such as meals, insurance, and other amenities. Read more about our au pair program pricing.
2Based on an average hourly rate of $15 per hour for 45 hours per week of care for 50 weeks.
³Range is based on the average monthly cost of daycare by state from this 2019 Child Care Aware® report, for an infant and a 4-year old.