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SALT LAKE CITY -- The U.S. State Department is teaming up with a Murray company to promote a program that turns child care into an enriching international experience.
When you hear the term au pair, you may think of the rich and famous. But it's really only French for nanny. The president of goAUPAIR in Murray, Bill Kapler, explains.
"It's quality in-home child care," he says. "It has unique enrichment of experience and it's very affordable. But it's not well known by many people."
Kapler says the program costs $340 per week. The au pair provides 45 hours of live-in child care services a week in exchange for room, board, a small stipend and contributions toward education.
The host family can also learn though this process about a different culture, and celebrate the commonalities.
–Bill Kapler
Kapler says au pairs have come from 45 different countries to Utah.
Even the U.S. State Department is talking up the program. In a new video, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton emphasizes the people-to-people connections that can be made and how the program can enhance impressions of America throughout the world.
The young men and women in the program must have a high school diploma, experience and strong references. Kapler stresses that the au pair and the families undergo a long background check and vetting process to find a match.
He says many families maintain that friendship for years.
"The host family can also learn though this process about a different culture and celebrate the commonalities," he says.
The program lasts for a year with an option to extend for another year. A family can even bring the same au pair back after he or she has spent two years in their home country under visa rules.
E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com
