1. Keep yourself informed

Follow the news regularly for the most up to date information. Do not trust dubious sources on social media or the internet. It is best to follow major news stations or to follow the newest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO). We have included the links to both websites in the resource section of this page.

2. Have open communication with your host family

We understand that this is a unique and difficult situation. This is why, now more than ever, it is important that you have open communication with your host family. Share your worries; let them know what you are struggling with or what you do not understand.

If you are feeling stressed and don’t know how to cope with the current situation, you can also review the tips of the CDC on how to deal with the current situation: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html

3. Work together as a team

The successfulness of any placement depends on the cooperation, flexibility and understanding of the au pair and the host family. Especially in challenging times, working as team with your host family is very important. We understand that the situation is very difficult for you, but please keep in mind that it is also difficult for your host parents and your host children. Please try to be understanding for their situation as well and try to be flexible and again, communicate any problems or concerns directly to them. Should this not work, you may involve your local representative for additional support and guidance.

4. Caring for the host children

Ask your host parents what caring for the children will look like during this time: what activities you can do or should not do with them and what additional precautions you should take. Sit down as a family and come up with a daily or weekly plan to provide the children with some routines and structure during these uncertain times.

Also remember that as an Au Pair with Agent Au Pair you have access to the Renzulli Learning system which provides you with thousands of resources and activities to do with your host children (https://renzullihome.com/).

5. ALWAYS stay in contact with Agent Au Pair and share your doubts or concerns

Your local representative as well as the staff of Agent Au Pair is always available to speak about your concerns, answer your questions or give you some guidance. While we send out frequent updates regarding Covid19 via email and offer online info sessions, we understand that you may have additional questions. You can always contact us and we will be happy to address those questions (to the best of our abilities) and to support you.

Please note: that it is important that you continue to follow the program guidelines in addition to any national or state regulations. Should you have placement issues or should you consider ending your program early, do not make any rash decisions but speak with your host family, local representative and the Agent Au Pair Staff and follow their guidance.

As always, placement changes need to be approved by Agent Au Pair. Neither you nor your host family can decide that a placement change is necessary. If you feel that a placement change might be necessary, speak with your host family to see if the any misunderstandings of problems can be solved and involve your local representative. Regardless of the Covid19 pandemic, you might still have to go through mediation and will have to give 2 weeks notice. Again, all of this has to be confirmed by staff member of Agent Au Pair and you have to follow Agent Au Pair’s guidance. Additionally please note that any placement change might be delayed by local shelter at home orders and/or travel restrictions. Additionally, please note that finding a new host family can be difficult, as host families might be worried about having someone new join their household during the Covid19 pandemic and/or as traveling to a new host family might be challenging. This is why we encourage you to find a way, with our help, to make your current placement work. Please remember that the current situation is very difficult but that things will go back to normal again so once the situation relaxes again, you might feel differently about the placement again so consider making it though this rough patch as a team.

Agent Au Pair is not recommending for you to end your placement early because of Covid19. We understand that this is a difficult time, especially since you are in a different country, with your family and friends being far away, and we also understand that your parents at home might be worried about your health and safety. However, there is no need to worry and to depart early. If you follow the guidelines and instructions of the CDC, WHO and the national and local governments, you will be fine. We believe that the safest place for you right now is with your host family, to stay at home, practicing social distancing and following the best practices of the CDC.

Any decision about ending your program early needs to be discussed with your host family and needs to be approved by Agent Au Pair. We will work with you and your host family to find a solution that works for everyone.

If you are nearing the end of your program and are planning to return home, we encourage you to monitor the entry rules and regulations in your home country and to let us know about any news in terms of travel bans. The best resource for you will be your home country’s embassy or consulate. You can find a list of foreign embassies throughout the US here: embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/united-states.

You will receive departure information as usual, about 4m before your program end date. Please complete the documents and if a return flight can be booked the Au Pair should return home and should follow any recommended precautions and requirements. Should a flight that was booked by Agent Au Pair get cancelled by the airline, we will rebook the Au Pair on the next possible flight. We are encouraging Au Pairs to return home at the earliest possibility instead of waiting until the end of their travel month. Please note that due to limited flights and increased cost for flights we will not be able to accommodate any special requests for flights.

If you are nearing the end of your first year, consider extending (ideally with your current host family) for 6, 9 or 12 months so you can delay your departure until restrictions and travel bans have been loosed and more safety measures for traveling internationally are in place. Please note that should you decide to extend with a new host family a start might be delayed by local shelter at home orders or travel restrictions. Additionally, please note that finding a new host family might be difficult as host families might be worried about having someone new join their household during the Covid19 pandemic and as traveling to the new host family might be challenging. This is why we encourage you to stay with your current host family, if possible.

Your insurance is covering Covid19 testing and treatment if recommended by a health professional. Should you show symptoms, please make sure to contact a local health professional and be assured that your insurance will cover testing and treatment for Covid19. You can find more information regarding your health insurance again on our website: www.agentaupair.com/program-information

Traveling within or outside of the US is currently not advised due to national and international travel restrictions and bans and due to current shelter at home orders. Au Pairs should avoid unnecessary trips- you will have the opportunity to travel again once the situation with Covid19 is back to normal again. While we understand that this is frustrating and not how you have imagined your time in the US to be, your and your host family’s safety and health is a priority right now.

Should you still have to travel for any reason, this should be discussed and approved by your host family and you should inform Agent Au Pair of your plans. You should discuss any consequences of traveling with your host family which might include quarantining outside of your host family’s home or even early termination of the placement. Please also visit the State Department’s country specific Covid19 page to get the most recent information regarding travel advisories, restrictions and travel bans: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

You can find recommendations by the CDC regarding national and international travel here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

While typically online classes do not qualify for the educational component, we understand that currently all in-person classes have been cancelled due to Covid19. This is why Agent Au Pair allows their participants to take online classes to fulfil their educational component, as long as online classes:

· Take place before the fall semester of 2020 (subject for review)
· Are offered by an accredited US institution of higher education.

You can find more information about the educational component on our website: https://www.agentaupair.com/educational-requirement.html

Due to shelter at home orders and in order to practice social distancing, no in-person monthly meetings will be taking place until further notice. This does not mean though, that your local representative is not there to support you! You can still contact your local representative via email, phone or text with any questions or concerns and you will still have monthly meetings but they will be taking place online.