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WELCOME TO THE USA!
Planet Au Pair
Under the Au Pair in the USA program, Au Pairs are welcomed into the homes of American Host Families as a family member for a 12 month cultural exchange under the J-1 visa. This is the only way to go to the USA as an au pair legally. Au pairs participate in cultural and educational activities designed to teach them about American life, and they assist with child care. Planet Au Pair is an official interviewer for the Au Pair Foundation.
The Au Pair will live with a carefully screened Host Family who will treat the Au Pair as a family member, not as domestic help. Au Pairs will be given the phone numbers of other Au Pairs in the area from many areas of the world. Au Pairs will have access to an emergency phone number. Opportunities to study at a local educational institution are available with a variety of curriculum choices. Every consideration will be given to the Au Pair’s preferences concerning ages of children and special requests. No Au Pair will be required to accept any Host Family. Pocket money of at least $139.05 per week. Private room. Round trip air fare. From some locations, an add on charge may apply. Health insurance. Contact us if you are interested in information about civil liability or a more comprehensive health plan. $500 stipend to be used for schooling. You will be assigned a Local Area Counselor.
Provide approximately 45 hours of quality childcare or childcare activities per week. Commit to the 12 month program.
FAMILIES 1. The Host Family will accept the Au Pair as a member of the family and not as an employee or boarder. 2. The Host Family will provide the Au Pair with a private room and full board, as well as pocket money of at least $139.05 per week throughout his or her stay. 3. The Host Family understands that the primary function of the program is a cultural exchange. As a result, they will allow the Au Pair to attend classes and participate in cultural opportunities. 4. The Host Family will allow one and a half days free per week, usually the weekends, and one full weekend a month (Friday night until Monday morning).
AU PAIRS 1. The Au Pair will provide approximately 45 hours of childcare and childcare related housekeeping for the Host Family. 2. As a member of the family, the Au Pair will be expected to share in the usual household chores along with other family members. Heavy housework is not the responsibility of the Au Pair.
3. The Au Pair is to be of assistance to the Host Family and in every way try to fulfill the duties expected. Au Pair Foundation will be available to assist both parties, and will assist to resolve any disputes as to appropriate expectations. 4. Au Pairs are responsible for any personal expenses incurred while living in the home of the Host Family, for example, telephone bills.
ALL AU PAIRS MUST 1. Be between 18 and
26 years old.
OUR BACKGROUND Planet Au Pair has been an au pair agency since 1992 working with the United States, England, Ireland, Canada, France, Germany and Italy among many other countries. We were formed with the purpose of facilitating opportunities for young people to visit and learn about different countries in order to better understand the peoples, and become familiar with the history and culture of each country as well as to improve their language proficiency. CULTURAL Planet Au Pair - in conjunction with Au Pair Foundation - offers the opportunity to experience the American culture with the safe and secure environment of an American Host Family. The program strives to cultivate better intercultural awareness among participants and bring about a greater understanding among nations. ORIENTATION Au Pair Foundation works with the American Red Cross in training
our au pairs. They take the responsibility of providing the best training seriously and require our au pairs to become American Red Cross CPR and First Aid certified. This course teaches Adult, Infant and Child CPR, Infant and Child first aid. Our au pairs receive certificates for Adult, Infant and Child CPR (valid one year), First Aid (valid for two years). SUPERVISION The staff at Au Pair Foundation are always only a phone call away and are always available for counsel, assistance and continual support during the length of your stay. They are also available to mediate in the event of a dispute or disagreement between the Au Pair and the Host Family. EDUCATION The program requires you to study while you are in the USA, the host family must allow time for this activity, be it English language classes or any other educational pursuit. $500 is earmarked for your studies. HOST FAMILY Through the Planet Au Pair/Au Pair Foundation Au Pair in the USA Program, every Au Pair is welcomed to the USA as a member of an American family. The relationship that develops between the Au Pair and the Host Family is one that lasts a lifetime. Au Pairs can explore the exciting culture of the USA while enjoying the warmth and security of a stable, secure family life. HOST FAMILY SCREENING
In the unlikely event that the Au Pair is dissatisfied with the family; or, if the family is dissatisfied with the au pair, Au Pair Foundation will help in attempting to resolve any problems. If the problems are not solvable, the Au Pair will be placed with another Host Family, provided the Au Pair has followed the program’s guidelines. Q. What if I get homesick ? A. It is only natural to feel homesick at the beginning of your stay in the USA, but for those with enough maturity, this passes quickly. If you have serious doubts about being able to live away from home and friends for an extended period of time, wait until you are more comfortable with the idea. Q. I would like to go to the USA as an Au Pair, but the only experience I have is babysitting. Should I still apply ? A. Certainly, the more experience you have, the better your chances of placement are. However, there are other qualities that are also important for placement, such as maturity, responsibility, an interest in cultural enrichment and a real desire to work with children. If you feel you have some of these qualities, please submit your application. We will do our best to find you an appropriate family. Q. When should I apply ? A. You may start the program any time you wish. It will typically take at least two to three months to process your application, although placements have been made in much less time. The longer we have your application, the better the chances of placement. Q. I am male but I would like to go to the USA as an au pair. Do you have families that accept male au pairs? A. Most families require female au pairs. However there are some who have pre-teen or teenage boys and would like to host an "older brother". You should apply with plenty of time because placing males could be quick or take three or four months. If you have experience with children such as the scouts, camp counselor, etc., by all means send us your application. Q. Why do I have to pay a fee? Other agencies have offered to place me for free. A. As the old saying goes, "If something is free, you probably get what you pay for". If an agency does not charge you, you are not a client of that agency. That agency's client is only the family, NOT you. We consider both the families AND the au pairs to be our clients and do our best to take care of both parties. And payment is not due until you have been placed with a family and your visa papers are ready for you. Q. I have heard of au pairs who have contacted families and have not had to pay an agency. What is the advantage of going through an agency when you can find families on the internet? A. If you go to the USA on a tourist or student visa and work as an au pair, you are breaking US law. Through the auspices of Au Pair Foundation, Planet Au Pair facilitates your J-1 visa, the only legal way to go to the USA as an au pair. Q. Can you provide references? Once you are offered and have accepted a placement, you pay (in most local currencies): * a US$100 nonrefundable placement fee * a US$500 Good Faith Deposit which is refundable in the United States in the form of a completion payment when you successfully complete the 12-month program. The $500 may be paid to the girl when she is still in the USA for her 13th month. It is Au Pair Foundation's responsibility to refund the $500 Good Faith Deposit, not Planet Au Pair. * any applicable flight supplements (round trip is free from virtually every country - including Madrid and Barcelona) * the American Consulate will issue a J1 Visa for you. The fee to the Consulate is about 50 Euros. Payable upon acceptance and placement and prior receipt of air fare and visa. Fees due Planet Au Pair: 319 €, VAT included (or the equivalent in your currency). Payable upon placement and prior receipt of air fare and visa Health Insurance: Your host family will provide basic health insurance for you. Contact us if you are interested in information about civil liability or a more comprehensive health plan. Transportation: Upon acceptance and payment of the registration fee and the deposit, your round trip air fare will be given to you. Language classes: Provided.
1. Read this web site
thoroughly and complete the application form neatly. Mail or fax the application
to our office.
PAYMENT PROCEDURE Payment can only be made in person. Once you have been accepted by a family and you have also accepted the family, you need to pay the Planet Au Pair registration fee prior to receiving your visa papers.
APPLICATION FOR AN INTERVIEW FORM To apply to be an au-pair in the USA with Planet Au Pair, print out and fill in the application form on this page . Then email or fax the completed and signed form to us and we will contact you for an interview. Or just call us. Planet Au Pair
Contents Work
and Travel USA
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+34 96 320 6491
+34 96 320 7832
Host
Families accepted by Planet Au Pair/Au Pair Foundation are thoroughly screened
to ensure a safe, comfortable home for every Au Pair. Each prospective
Host Family must submit a lengthy application, undergo an in-depth interview,
provide solid character references, and sign a written statement agreeing
to abide by the program’s guidelines.
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