Despite all the challenges Au Pair USA hosts families and au pairs encountered in 2020, our Annual Satisfaction Survey shows that the program remained overwhelmingly successful! Both families and au pairs were overwhelmingly satisfied with the various aspects of the program, especially the support they received. In 2020, the spirit of the Au Pair USA program was put to the test. And it passed with flying colors!
Based on the results of our 2020 Satisfaction Survey, we can confidently report that 91% of the responding host families would recommend the Au Pair USA program to their friends or family.
Military mom Nicole enjoys “having the peace of mind of knowing [her] children are cared for.” Her au pair, Sandra, joined the family in March during the onset of the pandemic. And Nicole sticks by her decision to host, praising “the benefit of giving your child one-to-one, unconditional care and creating a friendship that’s just as meaningful to the au pair as it is to your family.”
How would you rate your family’s overall program experience?
(86% rated “Excellent” or “Good”)
How would you rate the childcare you received from your au pair?
(88% rated “Excellent” or “Good”)
Through it all, our team of Local Coordinators was in constant communication with both au pairs and their host families. Ninety percent of host families rated the support from their Local Coordinator as “excellent” or “good.” “She started contacting us more and asking how she can be helpful,” says host mom Lily of her Local Coordinator. “She sent links to great educational sites for my children. Also, her close contact with our au pair, Karolaine, was very helpful as well, just to make sure she is doing well.”
Brazilian au pair, Lucas, with his Local Coordinator
How would you rate the support from your Local Coordinator?
(90% rated “Excellent” or “Good”)
Education and culture
You may know that childcare isn’t the sole purpose of the Au Pair program. Au pairs’ international education and intercultural exchange are important goals of the program as well! Seventy-six percent of host families considered the educational aspect of the program to be “excellent” or “good,” and the au pairs agree! Au Pair Laura, who studied at Harvard, says “ I really take this class for myself and I really enjoy it. Getting the chance to study at a prestigious university in the country makes me proud.”
How would you rate the Educational Content of the program?
(76% rated “Excellent” or “Good”)
What about the cultural exchange benefits of the program? An amazing 90 percent of host families considered this aspect of the program to be “excellent” or “good.”
German au pair, Stephanie, explains “You have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world who you would never meet if you stayed in your country … you don’t just see the American culture, you can also share your culture with others.”
How would you rate the Cultural Exchange benefits of the program?
(91% rated “Excellent” or “Good”)
Language, of course, is an important part of both education and culture. Fortunately, 88 percent of host families considered their au pair’s English language proficiency to be “excellent” or “good.” And while au pairs themselves may initially be nervous to communicate in a different language, they quickly adapt.
Lifetime Bonds
Eighty-three percent rated their family’s compatibility with their au pair as “excellent” or “good.” Stories from both host families and au pairs reflect the lifelong bonds we know are made during the program. Host mother Mallory from Georgia says of her au pair:
She is so much more than childcare help; she has literally become my little sister. The thought of her leaving already makes me sad, as I can’t imagine daily life without her here!
How would you rate your experience with your au pair?
(86% rated “Excellent” or “Good”)
How would you rate the compatibility of your au pair with your family?
(84% rated “Excellent” or “Good”)
Finally, our dedicated staff worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly in an otherwise turbulent year.
How would you rate the pre-departure support from your program sponsor?
(87% rated “Excellent” or “Good”)
How would you rate the on-program support from your sponsor?
(84% rated “Excellent” or “Good”)
How would you rate the Au Pair Matching Process?
(82% rated “Excellent” or “Good”)
We know that 2020 has been one of the most challenging years many of our families have faced. We are so happy that we could add a high degree of support and satisfaction to them. We look forward to building on this success.