Press Release
For Immediate Release

(Danvers, MA)--"Nanny, Accused of Murdering Baby, Enters Not Guilty Plea" said the New York Times. The person who is allegedly responsible for the death of the infant is not a nanny at all. She is an au pair. There is a clear distinction, making the article very misleading. The au pair's priority is a cultural exchange. The nanny's priority is to accept the serious responsibility of caring for the physical, emotional, intellectual, social and recreational needs of children. "The media, both written and electronic, obscure this critical difference as in articles like these", says Sharyn Marcuson, President of the Alliance of Professional Nanny Agencies (APNA), a professional association promoting higher standards in the nanny placement industry. "Parents need to understand these differences because only then can they can make informed decisions when choosing care for their children."

"The real solution is to revert the au pair program to it’s original format, as a cultural exchange with a narrower child care component", says Betty Davis, President of In Search of Nanny, Inc. Davis suggests the guidelines for use of the program should be modified to limit the hours of childcare the au pair works to 20 hours or fewer a week and with children age three (3) or more.

The solution solves two problems. It allows the au pair time for her cultural exchange and education. Secondly, she can be available for babysitting after school, an answer to the after-school childcare crisis, or be available as a "mother’s helper".

The au pair program is currently under scrutiny lead by Congressman Robert Barr of Georgia, by the International Relations House Committee HR3092. As an USIA government approved program, the original intent of promoting the understanding between people in the US and other countries has extended obscurely into a full time childcare program.

In Search of Nanny, Inc. has referred nannies to families since 1988. The Agency offers full services, i.e., full-time, part-time and temporary care as well as a "Sitting Service" for evening and weekend hours.

APNA is a non-profit coalition of independently owned agencies located throughout the United States specializing in setting the highest standards in the in-home child care referral and placement industry.