IAPA 2020 Au Pair of the Year Award: Meet the finalists

Au pair of the year, Events June 21, 2020

: Daniela Lisboa dos Santos, Brazil – Au Pair in the USA

: Wandi Zhu, China – Au pair in Germany

: Kylie Marsh, USA – Au Pair in New Zealand

The 16th edition of the IAPA Au Pair of the Year Award has again provided us with great stories that were shared with us through our member agencies.

We wish we could award all these wonderful young people as they would all deserve it.

After reviewing over 30 host family essays, all describing their rewarding experiences with their au pair, we have selected our three finalists for the IAPA Au Pair of the Year 2018 Award.

The 5 jury members this year consisting of 4 IAPA members as well as last year´s Au Pair of the Year Georgina Pinson have reviewed the stories we received from host families recommending their au pairs for the award.

The finalists have each sent us an essay that is being reviewed and scored in order to select our winner.

Daniela Lisboa dos Santos (Brazil)

Daniela from Brazil has been an au pair in the USA with family Rowley in South Carolina for 2 years during which she has been the perfect match for the busy family with three vivid kids.

As a mom, you can only dream of having childcare where your kids are with someone who extends the same maternal compassion and generosity of heart. Dani has shown an unwavering drive to do what’s right, lead from the heart and when the going gets tough, brush herself off, give a hug and try harder. She is a model of all that is right and beautiful with the au pair program.

In our hearts, Dani has become a Rowley and irreplaceable member of our family and cherished member of our Columbia, South Carolina community. It will be next to impossible to say goodbye but thanks to Dani we have so many wonderful memories and inspiring moments to keep us smiling.”

Daniela was placed by :

Sending and receiving agency

Wandi Zhu (China)

Wandi has been an au pair with the German family Adam near Hamburg. Their two boys adore her. Despite the great cultural differences Wandi has integrated herself in the family and the German lifestyle, being interested, astonished and delighted about discovering new things every day,

She is a wonderful support for the family with her calm and patient personality.

” In the morning stress, she always contributes to a positive atmosphere. The extra pair of hands when you come home, the happy playmate in the afternoon, the additional pair of watchful eyes during excursions, the calmness when bringing the kids to bed at night. She is the big daughter to whom we show her a piece of a world unknown and who invites us all to learn more about her homeland and its culture.”

Wandi was placed by the following agencies:

Receiving agency Germany

Sending agency China

Kylie Marsh (USA)

Kylie was an au pair with family Loxton in Auckland, NZ. The family with two little boys went through a very stressful phase and Kylie proved to be the perfect match for them.

She taught herself how to cook to support the host parents at times when there was too much time pressure to prepare a decent meal. She always found playful ways to teach the boys new things and keep them busy. In no time she had won the hearts of the kids and the whole family.

“The experience she offered our children was beyond our expectation. At times of stress she took the stress away, at turning points in our boys lives, she thoughtfully and consistently researched and enacted the best way to help them through the transitions and she set them up with a lifelong love of learning and respect for others.”