Au Pair vs Nanny
Au Pair is used to refer to an assistant from some other country that is working and living in a family of a host country. Au Pairs are usually responsible for performing specific jobs in the house such as childcare. These Au Pairs get an allowance for the jobs that they perform. Au Pairs have to be taken for work keeping in minds the rules and restrictions implied by the government on Au Pairs. Au Pairs can have an age of late teen years till late twenties. The concept of Au Pairs has its origin from Europe where an Au Pair works for some time and usually study for some time other than their working times. In Europe an Au Pair works in a host family in order to become familiar with the language and customs of the country. However, in United States, these Au Pairs are allowed to perform different duties such as childcare to receive some money for their personal usage. Au Pair is a French word which means ‘Equal To’ or ‘On a Par’. The word highlights that an Au Pair should have a relationship with individuals of the family at an equal level. Au Pair is a word used for some person who can be taken as a member of the family.
Nanny is a person who provides care for children of some family. A nanny usually works in a house during the absence of the parents of child. Nanny can also work even if the parents are available at home. A nanny has to take complete care of the child in the home. Nannies, at earlier times, were treated as a servant, mostly in large households and they had to report to the lady of house directly. Nanny is put on job in case the parents of children are out of home and he/she is to take care of the child in this time. Professional Nannies are certified and most of the times have training in First Aid. They may even have a degree or certification in child development.
What is the difference between Au Pair and Nanny?
There are a lot of differences between a Nanny and an Au Pair. The first and biggest difference is that Au Pair is a visitor to your country while Nanny belongs to your own country with knowledge of the customs and traditions of your country. An Au Pair needs to be given a bedroom, daily meals and salary. On the other hand, Nannies do not usually live in employers home and even if they do, it is upon the employer whether to provide these services on his own or ask the nanny to get these services for herself. Also, a nanny has to work like a servant. On the other hand, Au Pair can get a weekend off every month. Au Pairs can even get two weeks vacation in which they have to be paid. An employer can not make an Au Pair to work for more than 45 hours weekly or 10 hours daily. Au Pair is to work for an employer for a year only during which she is treated like a family member with equal facilities unlike Nanny who is treated as a servant.