Press Release For Immediate Release November 10, 2008	Media Contact: Mike Liberty Au Pair in America River Plaza, 9 West Broad St. Stamford, CT 06902-3788 (203) 399-5187 mliberty@aifs.com www.aupairinamerica.com

As Mothers Return To Work, Au Pair in America Offers Families a Child Care Solution

STAMFORD, CT – A faltering economy has more women heading back into the work force, or taking additional jobs. Affected families with two working parents must now deal with finding child care. With its low cost, convenience and cultural impact, many families are turning to Au Pair in America for the solution.

Seventy percent of mothers with children under 18 are in the work force holding either full- or part-time jobs. With women making up 46 percent of the work force, the traditional “stay-at-home mom” is nearing extinction. To meet the demands of the new American family, the Au Pair in America program offers dependability and economic value, making it a logical choice for families across the country.

Another issue facing moms and their families is the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act, which guarantees women employed by larger organizations 12 weeks of unpaid leave. While this gives working women a chance to focus on their families, many are forced to return to work sooner because they can't afford to go without their paychecks. The rising cost of childcare is also a concern for many families. Women have to weigh whether it is worth it for them to work.

“If you have two or three children, an au pair can be less expensive than day care arrangements,” said William L. Gertz, CEO and President of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS), the parent company of Au Pair in America. “The average cost of the program is $328 per week whether you have one or four children.”

Au Pair in America has placed nearly 65,000 au pairs in 37 states since they pioneered the program in the U.S. more than 20 years ago.

In the current recession, the experts expect this number to grow. Many parents also view hosting an au pair as a great opportunity to give their children exposure to a foreign language, a benefit that has become increasingly more important in today’s world.

“It’s a logical choice,” said Gertz. “You get the economic value and a cultural experience.”

Au Pair in America, the nation’s first legal au pair agency, matches potential au pairs who meet the different criteria posed by host families. Both au pairs and families complete a thorough application and matching process to ensure the best situation for all parties.

Regulated by the U.S. Department of State’s Exchange Visitor Program, the au pair program gives 18- to 26-year-old foreign women the opportunity to live in the U.S. for up to two years as live-in child care providers. Each au pair is screened thoroughly and must have at least 200 hours of recent, documented child care experience and speak proficient English.  

To learn more about the program, contact Au Pair in America at (800) 928-7247 or visit them on the web at www.aupairinamerica.com.

The original legal au pair solution, Au Pair in America combines live-in child care and cultural exchange for a mutually rewarding and enriching experience. Au Pair in America is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, and has offices in five countries.