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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]An ap is a young adult that needs guidance and is also new to this country and she lives with you. There's is a 45 hr limit to her working and the cost is not just the weekly stipend but the agency fees, food etc. A nanny is an employee who is completely self sufficient, with experience and unless love in goes home at night and has her own life and can also work more than 45 hrs a week depending on your contract. 
They are completely different childcare options. I wouldn't use an ah pair for a toddler or preschooler but for elementary kids and the split shift of morning and a little after school would make sense. [/quote]

This.  There are additional costs for an au pair, and strict limits on how many hours they can work.  And you have responsibilities to her, even when she's not working.  She's not a child-care professional, and she has to go home after one or two years.  And some au pairs view it as more of a vacation, and there may be culture clashes or problems with integrating her into your household in terms of meals, chores, etc.  A nanny is a professional, you can agree that she will work more hours in exchange for overtime, and you aren't responsible for her in her off hours.  There are advantages and disadvantages to both options.  [/quote]

Live-in nanny here.  I’ve been hired three times to make up for issues with APs: one was abusive, one wasn’t interested in learning enough English to communicate with the kids, and the third couldn’t drive three blocks to school and back, so there were zero activities and play dates.  On the other hand, I know several people who’ve had great relationships with exceptional APs, and one of my families had a former AP return for two weeks to visit.

There is a basic criteria list:
1. Private bedroom with two egresses, locking door
2. Access to a bathroom
3. Schedule with 45 hours or less per week
4. 9-10 hours maximum per day (depends on agency), 1.5 consecutive days off per week
5. $8k (estimate) agency fee
6. Roughly $200 weekly stipend to AP
7. Ability to take time off to test driving, take AP to bank, SS office, dmv, etc
8. Willingness to explain EVERYTHING (including how to work toaster and washer)
9. Expectations are safety, feed kids and interact.  This is a young adult who may have never had a job before, not a professional nanny.
10. The program is set up to help these 18-26yos learn English (class every semester) and experience the culture while giving you cheaper childcare.  If you aren’t interested in cultural exchange, skip it![/quote]

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