I know this will get criticized, but really if a HF isn't generous in this program to the extent they are able (and if they don't come into it with a generous spirit) I think they wont be successful in the program. So, if an "extra" week of the the full stipend isnt doable, how about saying "Larla, as you know we dont have to pay you for last week, but here is $20/40/100 you can use until Friday when we pay you for your first week of work."

from CC website
PROGRAM FEE
Program fee includes recruitment and screening, TRAINING SCHOOL, matching services, orientation, round-trip international airfare, travel medical insurance coverage and year-long support from your local childcare consultant. Due 30 days prior to au pair's arrival.
$8,795

AU PAIR WEEKLY STIPEND
The minimum weekly stipend is paid by you directly to your au pair for 51 weeks, including two weeks of paid vacation.
WEEKLY MINIMUM OF $195.75

Training is included in the $8000 fee to Cultural Care.
CC rules say pay AP for 51 weeks.

I pay her one week of stipend on the Sunday after she arrives so she has some $ for her first week of work. I want to start off on the right foot and this seems to help. I am lucky we can swing this $, and choose to do so, but agree with the PPs that it isnt required.

Anonymous wrote:It would be the nice thing to do, no?

I always pay for things I don't consume or services I have not received.... It should be included in the fee

Anonymous wrote:It would be the nice thing to do, no?

I always pay for things I don't consume of services I have not received.... It should be included in the fee

Anonymous wrote:It would be the nice thing to do, no?

Sigh.

It would be the nice thing to do, no?

Agree with the above, we’re with APIA and I paid our au pair on the Friday after she arrived to us on Wednesday. Will fully admit that it felt weird and she was surprised by it, but it was made clear by APIA that was what we were supposed to do.

APIA says to pay 52 weeks over the course of the year. When you think about it, none of us expect to train at new jobs for free, so it seems fair to pay au pairs for their first week and just think of it as 'off-site' training. They really do cover a lot of information at their orientations and that helps smooth some of the transition for the host families.

Cultural Care's website is very clear about this. You pay 51 weeks:
The minimum weekly stipend is paid by you directly to your au pair for 51 weeks, including two weeks of paid vacation.

You do not pay the training week.

Anonymous wrote:APIA told us it started the first Friday she was with us (she had training Monday and then joined us Wednesday).

They told us this, too. Happy if this is incorrect.

APIA told us it started the first Friday she was with us (she had training Monday and then joined us Wednesday).

NO. Every good AP agency is clear about that. The first training week is covered in your fees. You start paying her after she had been with you for one week. Of course you can also ask your LCC who should confirm this.

First time host family here. Our AP just arrived today after being in training since Monday. Do we pay her for this week, or start next week?