At least three months before you would like to go. EduCare departures happen in July, August or December.
Can I apply if I do not have a full driving license?
No, because most American families need an Au Pair or EduCare Companion who can drive.
What if I know a family I would like to be placed with?
No problem, as long as both you and the family meet the program’s requirements. You still need to submit a full application and be interviewed. Please contact your local interviewer with information on the family.
Can I choose where to live?
As anyone who has been will tell you, a happy and successful year depends much more on being with the right family than where they happen to live. That is why the program places you with the most suitable host family in any one of 165 cluster areas across 35 states, so you need to be flexible over location.
What if I am not compatible with my family?
Ask your Counselor’s advice. If it is an extreme situation, Au Pair in America may transfer you to another family. Transfers do not normally happen in the first or last months of a placement.
An Au Pair believes that she was never informed that there would be a gateway surcharge on her flight home. When are they given this information?
Au Pairs are informed of the flight surcharges prior to joining the program. The flight surcharge information is referenced in the Au Pair application booklet, in the “Placement Pack”and in “Guidelines for a Successful Year”. Au Pairs must sign a statement of acknowledgement confirming that they have received and understood all of this information. This statement is retained in your local office.
An Au Pair has health insurance cover in South Africa. If she is staying in the US for her travel month, does she still need to purchase travel month insurance through Au Pair in America?
No, however, she must send proof of her insurance cover to the Au Pair Services Coordinator when she submits her flight request information. We can not issue tickets for Au Pairs who plan to stay in the US for their travel month unless they pay the US$85 for insurance or provide proof that they are covered under another plan.
When will an Au Pair receive her Completion Bonus?
Completion Bonus cheques are issued two weeks prior to the Au Pair’s year end date. Please note the Au Pair’s year end date is not her departure date. It is the end of her 12-month program year.
What are some of the reasons that a Completion Bonus would be blocked?
- Au Pair’s flight request forms have not been submitted
- Au Pair owes flight surcharge
- Au Pair is staying in the US for her travel month but has not purchased insurance coverage
- Educational requirements have not been filled or counselor has not yet submitted proof
- Bonus has been applied to gateway surcharge
- Early departure waiver form is missing
