Au pair vs. nanny vs. daycare

“Hosting an au pair teaches our kids that the world is larger and more diverse than our hometown.”

The Yurkerwich family in Massachusetts

Childcare comparison

Nanny

from $3,375² per month

Varied training and certifications
Typically requires a 9-5 schedule
Higher overall cost

Au Pair

from $1,785¹per month

Cost is per family, not per child
Lives in your home as a part of your family
Follows a flexible schedule
Helps with kids' meals and laundry
CPR & First Aid trained
Shares their culture and language

Daycare

$788-$3,693³ per month

Inflexible hours and expensive late fees
High child-to-staff ratio
Long wait lists and high chance of illness exposure

What can au pairs do?

Drive kids to school and activities

Find an au pair

When does it make sense to hire a nanny?

Professional experience

Career nannies often have years of caregiving experience and may have certifications in child development or early childhood education.

Specialized care experience

The personalized attention a nanny provides may be ideal for children with developmental or behavioral challenges.

Long-term tenure

A nanny is more likely to fill a long-term commitment, often providing consistent support for several years.

Household support

Nannies may be willing to assist with household needs like cleaning, laundry, and meals.

When is daycare a better option?

Social development

Daycare provides opportunities for social interaction with peers, helping in the development of social skills and navigation of group dynamics.

Structured environment

Most daycare centers offer structure in the form of daily routines, as well as educational activities and toys.

Reliability of care

Daycare centers typically offer more reliable care, even in the event of caregiver illness, due to the presence of multiple staff members.

Competitive cost for one child

The cost of daycare for one child is generally lower than that of a nanny or au pair.

When hosting an au pair can beat those alternatives

Convenience and flexible scheduing

Au pairs provide in-home, personalized care and follow a 45-hour-per week schedule according to the specific needs and parenting style of their host family.

Competitive cost for 2+ children

The cost of hosting an au pair stays the same regardless of family size. It's often less expensive than daycare or nannies for families with 2 or more children.

Help with child-related chores and driving

Au pairs can help with household duties related to the children, including kids’ laundry, meals and room pick-up. They can also drive kids to and from school and other activities.

Immersion in a different culture and multilingualism

The cultural and educational benefits of hosting an au pair are invaluable. Au pairs come from 30+ countries around the world, and share their traditions, holidays, food and language with the whole family.

Au pairs vs nannies—what’s the difference?

Host mom Pooja shares her perspective.

Meet some of our au pairs, from 30+ countries worldwide

Hosting an au pair

How much does an au pair cost?

When considering the difference between au pairs vs. nannies vs. daycare, it's important to consider cost. The estimated annual au pair program cost starts at $21,424, or about $1,785 per month. The total cost of hosting an au pair is calculated by adding the program fee paid to Cultural Care Au Pair ($11,245) and the minimum weekly stipend paid directly to the au pair ($195.75 per week, totaling $10,179 per year). (If you are a host family in Massachusetts, you must comply with MA state law regarding Domestic Workers. Please see the Massachusetts pricing page for more details).

As a host family, you should also factor in additional costs related to room and board, insurance (if applicable), contributions toward your au pair’s Education Requirement and any other “extras” that will help make your au pair’s time in the U.S. more enjoyable. Host families typically find the cost of hosting an au pair to be comparable or even less expensive than daycare or nannies, especially in metro areas.

What are the au pair requirements?

When comparing au pairs vs. nannies vs. daycare, it’s also helpful to understand the unique qualifications required of au pairs. To be a Cultural Care au pair, a candidate must be between the ages of 18 and 26, pass a physical exam with their doctor, complete secondary school or the equivalent education, have at least 200 hours of childcare experience, be prepared to commit to at least 12 months abroad, complete a criminal background check, and have a valid driver’s license. Au pairs must also be willing to embrace the spirit of the au pair program, meaning they’re ready and excited to share their culture, learn about the U.S. and be part of a mutually beneficial relationship with an American family.

How long does it take to find an au pair?

The time it takes to get an au pair varies from family to family. Most au pairs looking for a host family are still living in their home countries and will need at least six to eight weeks to get their visa, complete Cultural Care’s training program, and prepare to leave. But there are a smaller number of au pairs already in the U.S. who are looking for a new host family, and they can arrive to your home much faster. To make things easy, you can use the filters on the app and website to find au pairs who have the same arrival timeframe in mind. If you're wondering how does hosting an au pair work, the process typically involves registering with an agency, reviewing candidate profiles, and conducting interviews to ensure a good fit for your family's needs. Each step plays a role in determining how long it takes to welcome an au pair into your home.

What is expected of me as a host family?

In addition to the meeting the requirements and following the rules set forth by both the U.S. Department of State and Cultural Care Au Pair, you should be prepared to embrace the cultural exchange spirit of the au pair program. This means welcoming your pair as you would an extended family member and helping them adjust once they arrive. You may need to explain household rules and routines more than once as customs can vary between cultures. Asking how their day was, being thoughtful on holidays and their birthday, and including them in family meals will go a long way to help them feel welcome in your family. While the needs of your children are of the utmost importance, it is also important that au pairs receive the benefits of an exchange experience and your full support as their American family.

More FAQs

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.

³Range is based on the average monthly cost of daycare from the 2018 and 2023 state-level estimates of National Database of Childcare Prices for an infant and a toddler.