Hosting an au pair has been an amazing experience for many American families, but the program is not right for everyone! You should consider hosting an au pair if the following statements are all true:

• You are looking for a reliable, flexible, and consistent caregiver for your kids.

• You are excited about welcoming a young person from abroad into your family, sharing American culture with them, and supporting them throughout their stay in the U.S.

• You are willing and able to provide a private bedroom, at least three meals a day, and other amenities to make their stay more comfortable.

• You are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and so is your partner (if applicable).

• All adults living in your household would pass a criminal background check.

Cultural Care Au Pair is a government-regulated program, meaning there are guidelines in place designed to protect both families and au pairs during the exchange year. It also means that au pairs travel to the U.S. on a legal J-1 visa, allowing them to stay in the country (and with your family) for up to two years.

Moreover, all au pair applicants must undergo a multi-step screening process before being accepted by Cultural Care. As a host family, you can review available candidates knowing they have all been personally interviewed and submitted references (checked by Cultural Care staff), a criminal background check, and personality profile.

Many people use the terms ”au pair” and “nanny” interchangeably, but there are some important distinctions to make between the two. First, an au pair, by definition, is a young person from overseas who joins an American family to care for their children. They travel on a legal, one-year cultural exchange visa through a designated au pair agency. Au pairs are live-in caregivers who initially commit to a one-year stay but have the opportunity to extend their time in the U.S. for 6, 9 or 12 months. Their working hours and conditions are regulated by the U.S. Department of State.

Au pairs have at least 200 hours of experience (usually many more) as babysitters, tutors, kindergarten assistants, camp counselors and sports instructors. All au pairs attend a training program before joining their American host families. They are excited to join an American family and immerse themselves in American culture.

The term “nanny” on the other hand, is a more general term that can be used to describe both professionally trained caregivers and those with less formal experience.

Read more about the differences between au pairs vs. nannies.

Cultural Care Au Pair offers you the ability to search for candidates on your own as well as a dedicated Matching Specialist to provide you with matching support. Whatever your desired level of engagement is during the matching process, Cultural Care Au Pair is ready to meet your needs.