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Search for and communicate with au pairs using our app
Childcare you can trust like family
Largestau pair agency in the U.S.
Au pairs from30+countries
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Your au pair agency of choice
Flexible, affordable childcare tailored to your needs
Cultural Care au pairs can help with everything from kids’ meals and kids' laundry to school drop-offs and homework, on a schedule set by you. Au pairs can even provide some weekend and evening coverage when needed.
An enriching cultural exchange experience
Introduce your family to new languages, traditions, and perspectives through the au pair program. Cultural Care au pairs come from 30+ countries worldwide and help foster global understanding, curiosity, and cultural awareness.
Personalized, dedicated support every step of the way
From our expert Matching Specialists and host family preparation resources to our on-the-ground Local Childcare Consultants (LCCs), we’ll ensure every part of your au pair experience is smooth and successful.
Hear from our host families
“We really can’t place our finger on the exact moment Camila felt part of our family, because our boys fell in love with her almost immediately.
She earned their mutual respect with quiet, kind, and calm authority. We now eat arepas and listen to Guayacán, a Colombian orchestra. We are actively planning our family vacation to the coffee region of Colombia, as well!”
Nicole, host mom in CA
“For any family who wants a unique approach to childcare and to learn and host someone from a different country and culture, this program has no match.
The support that Cultural Care provided during the application, vetting and matching process made us feel at ease with the concept of having an au pair, and our experience with Cultural Care has always been one of high quality.”
Brandon, host dad in DE
“Prior to having an au pair, I worried about things like having someone we didn’t know living in our home, will our au pair be engaged with our children, etc.
All I can say is I wish we had taken the leap of faith YEARS ago. It’s such an amazing experience.”
Danielle, host mom in CA
“This program has been the best thing for us as we moved to Minneapolis with little family to help, and we will be in it for years to come!
We have another pair of hands in the house to help out with dinner and pitching in around the house, but we also have a person in the house who loves our kids just as much as we do. When our kids are raised and off, they will remember having an au pair as a wonderful and unique part of their childhood.”
Stephanie, host mom in MN
“There is nothing more magical than watching your kids get excited about a new culture, learn languages, and love someone as much as they love their au pair.
Having an au pair is flexible, we get to share and experience culture, and it is always dependable. We can’t imagine doing it any other way!”
Kara, host mom in CA
Welcome an au pair as part of your family
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Learn about your au pair’s home country and share your American culture
The benefits of using an au pair agency vs a nanny
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Au pair services: cost breakdown
Program fee3
$11,245
Minimum au pair stipend4
$10,179
Potential additional costs
Varies
Estimated yearly total
$21,424
or approximately $1,785/month
How the au pair matching process works
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Step 1: Create your profile and start your search
Download our app and use the filters to find au pairs whose experience and availability fit your family’s needs.
Step 2: Interview au pairs
Chat with au pair candidates to get to know them better and find someone whose personality and values align with your lifestyle.
Step 3: Confirm your match and prepare for arrival
Finalize your match in the app and get ready for your au pair to arrive with the help of our Host Family Preparation team.
Step 4: Welcome your au pair
Extend a warm welcome to your new au pair! Enjoy flexible, personalized childcare and an enriching cultural exchange experience.
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Our exclusive matching tools
Easy-to-use mobile app
NeuroColor personality test
Use results to help in selection and improve communication
Dedicated team
Benefit from the expertise of our Matching Specialists
Au pair services: support from application to arrival and beyond
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Local Childcare Consultant
Your Local Childcare Consultant (LCC) is your go-to for in-person support. They conduct in-home interviews, facilitate orientations, and organize events. LCCs are members of your community and offer families and au pairs year-round guidance.
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Cultural Care staff
Our office team—which includes Matching Specialists, the Host Family Preparation team, and Customer Relations Managers—is available to ensure every step of your Cultural Care journey is easy and rewarding.
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Emergency services
We provide 24/7 emergency assistance, so you can be confident that help is always available. Your LCC and Customer Relations Manager will also work with you to offer personalized solutions when needed.
An older sibling, a mentor, a helper
Find the right au pair for your family
SofyItaly, 21
2,000+ hrs childcare experience
Competitive alpine skiier
AmberSouth Africa, 22
Special needs experience
Cares for brothers and cousins
VillemoSweden, 19
2,000+ hrs childcare experience
Advanced English level
BraianArgentina, 22
Advanced English level
Loves singing, dancing and theater
KarlaMexico, 21
Worked as a summer nanny
Studies architecture
PaulaSpain, 21
7,000+ hrs childcare experience
Loves dancing salsa and bachata
DanielaColombia, 24
Studying to become a nurse
Volunteers for at-risk teen center
EmaSlovenia, 22
Dance teacher for 3-6 year olds
Loves hiking, cycling and skiing
ArdenisGermany, 20
Advanced English level
Played club soccer for 4+ years
OleSouth Africa, 19
Infant qualified
Enjoys cooking and baking
Download our app
The easiest way to find the right au pair for you
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Create your account
Download our app or sign up online
Interview au pairs
Choose your family’s best match
Prepare for arrival
Rely on us for logistics and prep
Welcome your au pair
Start your exchange experience
Questions?
Our team is here to help.
Au pair program FAQs
An au pair lives with your family and helps care for your children. They provide childcare on a schedule you decide (up to 10 hours per day, no more than 45 hours per week) and can help with tasks related to childcare, such as laundry, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and transportation to and from school/extracurricular activities. Au pairs become like extended family members, and it is common for host families to stay in touch with their au pairs long after their program term has ended.
In order to become a host family with Cultural Care, families must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, pass a criminal background check, and provide a suitable private bedroom for their au pair.
In addition, families must be willing to embrace the spirit of the au pair program—meaning they are ready and excited to participate in a cultural exchange and invest time into building a relationship with their au pair.
All au pairs commit to staying with their host families in the U.S. for at least one year, and they arrive with a legal J-1 visa allowing them to do so. Towards the end of their first year, au pairs can choose to extend their time with their current family or with a new one for an additional 12, 9 or 6 months. Au pairs must complete their Education Requirement and be in good standing with the program in order to extend.
The Cultural Care app makes matching with au pairs easy! After signing up and creating your profile, you’ll be able to search for au pairs in the app and use our filters to narrow down your search. You can favorite the candidates you like best and start a chat or video call right through the app as well. Once you find a great match, you'll extend an offer to join your family. (Au pairs can initiate a match too). If you have questions or need help along the way, our team of Matching Specialists is available throughout your search.
What our customers are saying
Cultural Care Kids First Foundation
We create a brighter future for kids all over the world by providing opportunities that enrich children's lives.
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¹Monthly minimum average cost to host an au pair, regardless of the number of children the au pair cares for. This cost includes the agency fees and the minimum weekly stipend paid directly to the au pair for 52 weeks, including 2 weeks of paid vacation. Does not include incidental costs of hosting an au pair, such as meals, insurance, and other amenities. Read more about our au pair program pricing.
²Based on an average hourly rate of $18 per hour for 45 hours per week of care for 50 weeks.
3Au pairs pay a smaller program fee to the foreign company that screens them, but no portion of that fee is used to pay for the costs of their international airfare or domestic U.S. transportation. Au pairs may be charged additional fees in the event of special travel requests.
4The U.S. Department of State has determined that au pairs are required to receive from their host families at least $195.75 per week. Host families and au pairs are free to discuss and agree to compensation higher than the required stipend minimum; however, this cannot be in exchange for the au pair exceeding the regulatory limits on working hours (10 hours per day; 45 hours per week) or performing duties beyond childcare-related tasks. The State Department formula is based on the federal minimum wage and applicable room and board credits. Any change in the federal minimum wage or the applicable credits will result in an increase in this minimum stipend amount. Please note, should a family extend beyond the first year, they would be responsible for the stipend for each week of the extension term.
5This contribution towards an au pair’s education requirement is determined by the U.S. Department of State, and families agree to comply with any increase that is issued.
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