Reply to Au Pairs will soon lose their "upper hand"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]So the agencies tell AP’s they are going to experience a cultural exchange by living in America as a member of their host family. Yes, they have to help out with the children, but they will get to see the US!

Then the agencies tell parents they are getting up to 45 hours of childcare from the AP for the average cost of less than $400 per week, and that an AP is experienced and knows how to care for and engage children.

How shocking that people on both sides of this equation are unhappy. I think the agencies need to be far more honest with everyone. Tell the AP’s that childcare can be difficult and isolating, and that the families may not actually see them as new family members. Tell parents that they are practically adopting a grown child who may not fully enjoy working for a low amount of money once they figure out how hard the work can be.

[b]The agencies are blowing smoke up everyone’s butts and happily collecting $10,000+ from each and every family. Seems to me that the agencies are the true issue here.[/b] [/quote]

Sure, they are, but most are for-profit companies. It's not like I'm going to fly to Mexico and screen someone myself.  They can charge what they want to do it. It doesn't mean that au pairs deserve the money they are getting in fees for doing their job. It's like saying an employee deserves part of what a recruiter is earning. I'm sure an employer could afford a higher salary for an employee if they weren't paying for a recruiter but it doesn't mean the recruiter is not doing a valuable job. The entire program needs an overhaul but it's clear that if any attention is drawn to it, they will simply end it. I would rather high fees and the ability to eek through my last few years of childcare needs than to draw attention to how much the companies make only to have them shut it down and leave our family in a lurch.[/quote]

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