Member Blogs

One consequence of the current economic crisis is that more mothers

are working. More new moms are remaining in the workforce and at-home

mothers who had decided to put their careers on hold are  having to

return to work. With an increase in dual income households comes an

increase in the demand for quality childcare.

In some cases, this rising demand is driving up childcare costs.

According to a recent report by the National Association of Child Care

Resource and Referral Agencies, the price of child care is rising

faster than the average rate of inflation. The report, which provides

typical prices of child care in centers, reveals that over the course

of a year, the average price of full-time center care increased an

average of 6.5 percent, almost three times the rate of inflation and

more than increases in healthcare and college costs. Escalating

childcare costs is having the greatest effect on the nanny business. A

recent Wall Street Journal article estimated that full time nanny

hiring is down between ten to thirty percent.

One childcare program, however, has been able to meet the growing

demand for childcare with an affordable option for working parents.

Cultural Care Au Pair is a childcare and cultural exchange program

based in Cambridge, MA, that places au pairs across the country

including au pairs in Maryland. Demand for au pairs is growing. Data

from the U.S. Department of State, which regulates the au pair

program, shows that nearly 22,000 au pairs came to the United States

last year, up 44% from 2004. With hundreds of available, qualified au

pairs, Cultural Care is able to meet the needs of families looking for

quality childcare.

“Although the demand for au pairs is strong, we understand that

affordable childcare is an economic necessity for our current and

potential host families,” says David Fougere, President of Cultural

Care Au Pair. “We have taken some major steps to help families in

these tough economic times. While other au pair programs and other

types of childcare are raising their fees, we are holding our prices

at 2008 levels for 2009. We have also adjusted our payment plan and

reduced the initial deposit so the upfront costs are more manageable.

And, we will be offering greater discounts to both new and repeat

families throughout the year so many families will be paying even less

than they paid last year.”

Marji Epstein, local coordinator for Cultural Care in Montgomery

County, has seen an increased interest in the au pair program among

local families. “If you have two or three children, there really is no

comparison. The cost of the program is about $320 per week and that’s