Families Favor Au Pair Program Amid Concerns Over Proposed Regulations
A New Media Intelligence Survey Shows that American Families Favor the Au Pair Program for Cultural Exchange and Affordability, Amid Concerns Over State Department Regulations
American Families for Cultural Exchange (AFCE), a coalition working to champion the federal au pair program, today announced new findings about the ongoing online conversation on the au pair program and concerns regarding proposed regulations by the U.S. Department of State. The sponsored media intelligence survey shows that American families primarily chose to participate in the au pair program because of the cultural exchange opportunity and affordability it provides. The survey also found that host families are concerned about proposed State Department regulations, particularly the new tiered wage formula.
Data collected and findings are based on a May 2023 to May 2024 timeframe.
“These findings echo the concerns voiced in the over 10,000 written comments submitted to the State Department following the proposed regulations to the au pair program. American families value the au pair program for its enriching cultural exchange and affordability, underscoring the need for careful consideration by the State Department to preserve the essence and accessibility of this cherished program.”
Natalie Jordan, Senior Vice President, Cultural Care Au Pair
Background
The longstanding federal au pair program offers a unique, flexible, and affordable childcare option for those with unpredictable work schedules while also providing enriching cultural exchange opportunities for families.
However, proposed regulations from the State Department could increase the cost of hosting an au pair by up to 3x in some states, pricing many out of the program. In others, it would decrease the weekly stipend that au pairs receive, leaving those states a less desirable location for au pairs and stripped of a valuable cultural exchange opportunity.
The regulations would also create new reporting requirements, including tracking au pair meals, getting agency approval for minor schedule changes, and more – increasing the administrative burden on host families.
Key Survey Findings
The top reasons host families chose the au pair program were cultural exchange and affordability.
Cultural exchange was the primary reason host families chose or considered au pair programs, generating 22% more mentions than affordability, the next leading factor families cited in their online au pair considerations from the past year. Other factors include the flexibility the program provides and support in the house beyond child care.
Host families are concerned about the impact of the proposed regulations on the au pair program.
Online criticism of the proposed State Department regulations fell into three buckets, namely that program costs will increase, that au pairs will be seen as employees – diminishing cultural exchange – and that working mothers will be disproportionately impacted.
Host families do not favor the proposed regulations.
Over the past year, only 5% of online posts were written in support of the regulations.
Affordability and cultural exchange were the primary reason host families chose or considered au pair programs.
Cultural exchange generated 22% more mentions than affordability, the next leading factor families cited in their online au pair considerations from the past year.
When people spoke about the proposed regulations, they were more likely to be host families.
Among these host family mentions, more than half centered on the tiered wage formula, with only five percent expressing positive sentiments. Online criticisms of the proposed State Department regulations fell into three buckets:
Program costs will increase.
Au pairs will be seen as employees, diminishing cultural exchange.
Working mothers will be disproportionately impacted.
