Au Pair Program Responds To Local Families’ Financial Needs

Jan. 11, 2010 - PRLog -- The economy had an impact on everyone last year. Many families faced new financial challenges, but in the end, they still needed flexible, affordable childcare. In response to the economic situation and feedback from local families, Cultural Care Au Pair, a cultural exchange and childcare program that serves families in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida areas among others, has made several changes to its prices and pricing structure.

“We know 2009 was a hard year for many people and we saw strong interest in the au pair program as many at-home-moms considered returning to work and families were looking for more affordable childcare,” says Katherine Lombardo, Senior Vice President at Cultural Care. “Our new families, as well as our long-term repeat families, told us that they needed more flexibility in payment options and price considerations to make things work. We knew we had to listen.”

As a result, the company is keeping their prices the same for the second year in a row and has the same program fee in 2010 as it did in 2008. Cultural Care also has lowered their application fee, reduced the payment plan fees and created several new payment plan options that help lower the initial cost for welcoming an au pair.

Effective January 4, 2009, new families applying to the program will pay a $75 non-refundable application fee, a savings over the previous $350 application fee. Upon finding the right au pair, a $275 selection fee will be due so the au pair can finalize arrangements to come to the  U.S. Offering this new payment structure not only helps secure the au pair for the family, it allows the visa process to begin moving forward.

In addition, families now pay a reduced cost to enroll in a payment plan and more flexibility when it comes to making payments. The extended payment plan option has a lower initial deposit and families now have the option of making a payment in three easy installments or they can log into their host family account at their convenience and pay weekly, bi-weekly or monthly – whatever works best for the family. Repeat families have the additional benefit of a waived application fee and other repeat discounts.

“The new payment plan options, reduced fees and the 2008 price guarantee are very exciting, as it makes it more affordable for families to host an au pair,” says Nadia Price, au pair program consultant for the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. “Many of my families have already commented that the new options make it easier for them cover the cost of the program, while still affording them the benefits of the au pair program in a challenging economy.” As a former au pair from France, Price is excited to act as a resource for families looking for affordable, flexible, quality, live-in childcare.

For more information about how to utilize these new options, contact Nadia Price at nadia.price@lcc.culturalcare.com or visit http://nprice.aupairnews.com for additional information.

About Cultural Care Au Pair

Cultural Care Au Pair is the leading provider of intercultural childcare in the United States. Now in its 20th year, Cultural Care Au Pair has placed more than 75,000 au pairs in welcoming American homes since 1989. A U.S. Department of State regulated program, Cultural Care Au Pair is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., with an extensive network of recruitment, screening and orientation offices worldwide and more than 600 local coordinators across the U.S. For more information about hosting an au pair, visit http://nprice.aupairnews.com.

As a result, they can continue to enjoy all the benefits they have enjoyed from Cultural Care Au Pair in the past – and even more!

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Nadia Price acts as a resource for American families looking for flexible, affordable, quality, live-in childcare. Her goal is to help them assess whether the au pair program is the best option for them by providing information, tips and ideas.