All Cultural Care Au Pair program participants receive the support of a local representative, known as a Local Childcare Consultant (LCC) for families outside of Massachusetts*. During your au pair year, your LCC will be an invaluable local program resource to both you and your au pair.
Cultural Care Au Pair has a network of over one thousand LCCs across the country who are carefully selected and prepared to provide great service for our host families and au pairs.
In addition to being a great local resource and source of program information in your community, your LCC is also responsible for the following important program regulations:
Host family interview
48-hour call and 2-week orientation
Monthly contact with you and your au pair
Annual host family day conference
Host family & au pair support should issues arise
*Families living in Massachusetts will be supported by a local Program Manager.
Your LCC will meet with your family for an in-home interview. For families new to the program, this needs to happen before you finalize your match. This interview must occur each year you welcome an au pair into your home; and all people living in the home must be present for the interview. This is a great opportunity to ask any remaining questions you have about the program. The interview will also typically include:
A tour of the home and the au pair’s bedroom
A review of the U.S. Department of State regulations
Discussion of expectations
Discussion of best practices for program success
Your LCC will call you and your au pair within 48-hours of your au pair’s arrival to your home. During this phone call, your LCC will introduce themselves to your au pair, welcome them to the community and answer any immediate questions you or your au pair might have. The U.S.
Department of State regulations also require that you and your au pair meet with your LCC in your home within two weeks of your au pair’s arrival. Your LCC will also let you know about other au pairs in the area and help get your au pair connected to the local au pair community.
The 2-week orientation helps ensure that you and your au pair are on the same page as you embark on your year together. Topics covered will include the following:
Communication
LCC support
The schedule
Your children
Cultural differences
Health insurance
Car use
Internet use and safety
Mobile phone
Resolving conflicts
General information
Per U.S. State Department regulations, your LCC will contact you and your au pair every month to ensure that all is going well.
It is at the discretion of your LCC how they want to contact you. Many LCCs organize monthly get togethers to foster community and cultural exchange for au pairs. Others reach out via phone or plan a virtual get-together. Program participants must engage in these outreaches.
If your LCC is hosting an au pair get together or event it is important that you help your au pair get to the meeting, either by driving them, allowing them to drive, or organizing transportation for them. If your au pair cannot attend the monthly gathering, it is their responsibility to inform the LCC and schedule a make-up time to connect. Monthly contact reports are shared with Cultural Care Au Pair office each month as required by the Department of State.
In addition to the monthly contact, we encourage families and au pairs to proactively reach out to their LCCs should they need additional support. Your LCC will also organize at least two host family day conferences during the program year. The U.S. Department of State guidelines require host families to attend at least one of these meetings during their program year.
Should issues arise throughout your year, your LCC will also serve as your initial point of contact and support.
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