Image Credit: Avi Waxman from Unsplash.
Finding childcare that fits around your family’s schedule without sacrificing quality can often feel complicated. Traditional daycare mightn’t be flexible enough, and hiring a nanny involves a lot of administrative work on top of the costs.
That’s why au pair programs have become so popular. They combine live-in childcare with cultural exchange, making it appealing for more than a few families.
Go Au Pair is one of the leading names in the au pair industry, as it’s been matching families with au pairs for over 30 years. But, many families new to the au pair world would naturally have a few reservations.
Let’s get into a Go Au Pair review to see whether it’s worth using.
What is Go Au Pair?
Go Au Pair is a U.S.-based au pair agency that also mixes in a cultural exchange program. Since the 1980s, the company has connected thousands of American families with international au pairs looking for cultural exchange opportunities.
Unlike getting a nanny through an online platform, Go Au Pair manages the entire process, including:
- Recruiting and screening au pairs
- Visa sponsorship
- Background checks
- Training
- Matching families and candidates
- Ongoing support throughout the service
The agency focuses on creating long-term relationships instead of just filling childcare vacancies. Their goal is to match families with au pairs whose personalities, childcare experience, and expectations actually match up.
One feature that immediately stands out is families can register for free and browse available au pair profiles before committing to anything.
What Do They Actually Offer?
Go Au Pair does more than just pair families with childcare candidates. It offers a complete managed au pair program designed to simplify every stage of the process. This includes:
- Free host family registration
- Personal matching assistance
- Visa processing and sponsorship
- Pre-arrival and arrival orientation
- Interview guidance
The au pairs themselves tend to offer up to 45 hours of childcare every week, making it a relatively appealing option for families with unpredictable schedules. Because au pairs live with the family, they tend to be more flexible than some alternatives.
Go Au Pair Review: Is This Actually a Trustworthy Option?
Overall, Go Au Pair appears to be one of the more established agencies in the industry. Its longevity, structured screening process, government designation, and nationwide support network all contribute to its reputation.
This doesn’t necessarily mean the placement will be perfect. Sometimes, there can be a bit of a mismatch, but the agency offers a lot more oversight than families would see if hiring an au pair independently.
Let’s break down our Go Au Pair review a little more.
Pros:
- Extensive Screening – The agency extensively screens au pair applicants before they appear in the database, giving families greater peace of mind knowing they’re only picking between the best possible options.
- Flexible Childcare – Like many other au pair programs, there’s a lot of flexibility with childcare here. While there are some limitations, families aren’t restricted to traditional daycare opening hours.
- Cultural Exchange – Unlike hiring a nanny, hosting an au pair brings another culture into the household. This exposes your children to new languages, customs, and traditions, helping to create more of an educational experience.
- Ongoing Support – Sometimes, hiccups come up and the process wouldn’t go as smoothly as families would like. Thankfully, the ongoing support Go Au Pair offers helps deal with this relatively quickly and easily.
Cons:
- Financial Commitment – Hosting an au pair costs noticeably more than alternatives, especially considering room and board, weekly stipends, daily living expenses, and more.
- Live-In Arrangement – The live-in arrangement involved in hosting an au pair isn’t the right fit for everyone, and some families mightn’t realize this until they start hosting.
Au Pair Quality
One of Go Au Pair’s strongest areas is the quality of its recruitment process. Applicants have to meet eligibility requirements and demonstrate previous childcare experience before they can join. Families can also review detailed candidate profiles, which include:
- Childcare experience
- Personal interests
- Spoken languages
- Driving experience
- Education
- References
- Personal videos
This level of detail helps families make sure they’re getting the best possible option for their needs. While not all arrangements pan out as well as everyone would like, it does help make sure quality is relatively consistent. And, there should be noticeably less to worry about.
Matchmaking
Matchmaking is, arguably, one of the most important parts of any au pair program. Go Au Pair encourages families to interview multiple candidates before making a decision.
Instead of relying solely on automated matchmaking, the agency encourages families to actively participate in picking the person they’ll use as an au pair. This helps make sure they get the one that best fits their needs.
To make sure these are the best possible option, though, families need to focus on:
- Personality
- Childcare philosophy
- Schedule availability
- Driving confidence
- Experience with children of similar ages
This collaborative approach gives families greater control over their final decision instead of just accepting a recommended placement.
Family Support
Most childcare agencies offer quite a bit of support during the signup and au pair selection process, but this tends to drop off afterwards. Go Au Pair, thankfully, seems to take more of a hands-on approach.
Families get support from local coordinators throughout the program who can help with:
- Arrival preparation
- Orientation
- Regular check-ins
- Resolving misunderstandings
- Cultural adjustment for au pairs
- Rematch support, if needed
Having this kind of support offers reassurance, particularly if it’s your first time as a host family and might want a little extra help during the process.
Final Thoughts
Go Au Pair has earned its reputation as one of the more trusted au pair agencies in the U.S. Its combination of candidate screening, structured matching, local support, and decades of experience make it an appealing option for families looking for flexible, live-in childcare.
While this comes at a cost, and there’s the potential for a few hiccups, it’s easy to see why this could be one of the better options to go for. Depending on your circumstances, this could be more than worth considering.
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