Press Release For Immediate Release February 25, 2009	Media Contact: Jason Kannon (203.705.9203) Rob Gedarovich (203.705.9219) Creative Partners jkannon@creativepartners.com rgedarovich@creativepartners.com

MORE EUROPEAN AU PAIRS LOOKING FOR WORK IN THE U.S. -
And Au Pair in America Sees Increasing Demand

STAMFORD, CT – As the European Union’s recession deepens, Au Pair in America (www.aupairinamerica.com) has seen an increase in the number of au pairs from the region looking for work in the United States.  Less jobs for young European men and women has many looking to the States for opportunity.  As a result, Au Pair in America, the nation’s first and largest au pair provider, is seeing an increase in qualified au pair applicants from Europe, specifically Western Europe, home to many of the most sought after au pairs.

“Over the years, there has been high demand for au pairs from such European countries as the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Sweden,” said Ruth Ferry, senior vice president and director of Au Pair in America. “With the EU really hurting, we are seeing an increase in applicants from these areas and are now better able to meet the needs of more and more host families here in the States.”

Since February 2008, Au Pair in America’s total number of au pairs from the U.K. and France has risen more than 200 percent, while the number of au pairs from Germany and Sweden has increased 53 percent and 86 percent, respectively. This trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

The European Union is experiencing its first major recession since forming in 1993. Many companies are cutting jobs and scaling back production. BNP Paribas SA in London, the euro zone’s largest bank, warns that Europeans should brace for a huge rise in unemployment. And as more American parents join the workforce here, the need for safe, reliable child care becomes their number one concern.

“European au pairs’ interest in working here comes at an opportune time for Au Pair in America,” added Ferry. “In addition to more families needing child care, we have seen an increase in families who are switching from nannies and out-of-home care to lower-cost au pairs.”

The nation’s first and largest au pair program, Au Pair in America offers a customer-driven, Web-based matching process, extensive orientation programs for au pairs and host families, several program options to meet the varied needs of American families, and a Web community with a vast array of helpful information. Since 1986, Au Pair in America has placed more than 80,000 au pairs in 40 states. Headquartered in Stamford, Conn., Au Pair in America maintains offices in Boston, San Francisco and Chicago, and in five countries. It has a network of more than 600 employees worldwide. Families who would like to learn more about Au Pair in America should call (800) 928-7247 or visit www.aupairinamerica.com.