Au Pair Supply Increases from Eastern Europe and South Africa.

GREENWICH, Conn., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- While the supply of au pairs from England continues to struggle in the post Louise Woodward era, au pairs from other countries are coming to the U.S. in record numbers.

"The demand for au pairs is still very strong," says Bill Gertz, Executive Vice President of the American Institute For Foreign Study, the parent company of Au Pair in America. "The supply of au pairs from South Africa, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Israel, Brazil, and South Korea has increased by nearly 30%."

"Families find the program as a convenient and cost effective live in child care option with a strong cultural component," says Gertz.

Au pairs stay in the U.S. with legal, J-1 visas and provide 45 hours a week child care. Besides babysitting, they drive children to lessons, help with homework, play games, change diapers, prepare meals and run errands. Au pair means "on a par" or equal, or how the young person is expected to fit into the family. Au pairs are encouraged to take advantage of educational and cultural benefits of the host community and often participate in volunteer service efforts.

Au Pair in America's professional network of experienced local Community Counselors are in 180 communities in 36 states. The Community Counselors support and supervise and arrange cultural and social activities for the au pairs throughout their year in the U.S.

The Au Pair in America program costs approximately $240 per week, which includes the au pair's pocket money, insurance, visa, orientation and flight. Families also pay an education allowance. The program is sponsored by the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS), an exchange organization founded in 1964.

For the free brochure, call Au Pair in America, 800-928-7247 or e-mail [e-mail] or visit our web site at http://www.aupairinamerica.com.