Why nominate your au pair?

Nominating your au pair for the “Au Pair of the Year” Award is a great way to officially recognize her/him for all her/his hard work and dedication. Although some “Au Pair of the Year” Award winners and nominees are called out for their heroic acts in extraordinary circumstances, most host families simply want to thank their au pairs for all they do each and every day.

Most au pairs are surprised and thrilled to learn that they’ve been nominated by their host families. Although you may already find ways to express your thanks on a regular basis, making it “official” with an “Au Pair of Year” nomination is quite special for au pairs.

All nominees will be notified of their families’ nomination when they receive an official certificate by mail. Cultural Care Au Pair will also recognize each nominee and our state winners on our blog and in our “Au Pair of the Year” nomination video. The winner of the “Au Pair of the Year” Award is offically announced by IAPA in February.

Regardless of whether an au pair wins the official title or is simply nominated, it is an achievement she/he can be proud of and remember for years to come.  

How to nominate

Nominating your au pair is easy. During the official nomination period, November 1st - December 15th, 2011, families simply complete our online form including your name, contact information, your au pair’s name and your essay.

In order to better your au pair’s chances for earning the official “Au Pair of the Year” Award, we recommend that you:

• Include a photo
• Write from the heart
• Include specific examples of how your au pair has contributed to your family's quality of life
  

For examples of au pair nominations, visit our Award Winners section.

Eligibility

• The nomination is an essay, 500 to 850 words in length, written by the host family describing the characteristics that make the au pair exceptional.
• The young person being nominated for the award was an au pair during 2011.
• Entries are returned to Cultural Care Au Pair by December 15, 2011.

How are nominees recognized?

All au pairs who are nominated, including our top three finalists and our state finalists, receive:

• Official “Au Pair of the Year” Nomination Certificate
• A press release to submit to their local papers in their home country and in their U.S. community