With the increasing need to prepare children to enter a global society, a growing number of American parents are demanding childcare providers who can offer their children first-hand knowledge of another culture, language and traditions. Whether it is Spanish, German, Russian or Swedish, families across the United States are seeking childcare providers who speak a foreign language. One childcare option gaining popularity among parents is an international au pair, a live-in childcare provider who is able to teach children a second language in the home.  

Why the growing interest in raising bilingual children? For children, the benefits of learning a second language range from superior problem solving skills and enhanced school performance to having a better understanding of other cultures and traditions. With growing global competition for the best jobs and admission into top-rated schools, parents also want to prepare their children for a professional career in which speaking a foreign language and cultural sensitivity are competitive advantages. 

“Most experts agree children are more likely to become proficient in a foreign language if they learn the language at a young age. Choosing a bilingual caregiver who interacts with children on a daily basis is a perfect fit for parents who want to expose young children to a second language,” said David Fougere, executive vice president of Cultural Care Au Pair and host father. “Au pairs bring great enthusiasm into the home and are excited to teach their host children about a new language, traditions, food and music––allowing children to develop an understanding of another language and culture first hand.”  

Au pairs live and study in the United States for one year on a J-1 cultural exchange visa in exchange for providing 45 hours of childcare per week. The U.S. Department of State regulates all au pair programs in the United States, offering parents the peace of mind that their children are in the care of a carefully screened, qualified caregiver. 

The Bauer family is one American host family that takes advantage of this unique form of childcare and cultural exchange. The Bauer family welcomed German au pair Sandra Kormann into their home to teach their two children German. Sandra is helping six year old Elena learn to read in German and three year old Alex has become truly bilingual this year!  In the 45 hours that Sandra spends with the children, ages 6 and 3, she plays games with them in German and cooks treats like apple strudel and gingerbread houses. 

“Sandra does so much more than provide childcare for our family. She speaks German with my children on a daily basis by interacting through playtime, stories and games. At bedtime, Sandra reads a favorite German children’s book about princesses to Elena,” said Sheila Bauer, Cultural Care Au Pair host mother. “While any child can learn how to count to 10 in German at school or by watching TV, hosting an au pair has made it possible for my girls to read, write and carry on a basic conversation in German.”

The Bauers are not the only family to discover the language learning and cultural exchange benefits of hosting an au pair. According to Fougere, “Cultural Care Au Pair has seen a sharp increase in the number of families requesting an au pair to teach their children a second language. For instance, the number of families who request Spanish-speaking au pairs has risen so dramatically that we have increased our placement of Spanish-speaking au pairs by more than 150 percent over the past two years.”