Become a host family

With Cultural Care, becoming a host family is simple and you're supported every step of the way. From understanding program requirements to finding your ideal au pair, we’re here to make the process smooth and rewarding.

Find an au pair

What you'll need to start your host family journey

Host parents are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents

English is the primary language spoken in the home

All adults pass a criminal background check

Get started

Host an au pair from $1,785 per month

Au pair stipend & costs explained

Annual program fee²

$11,245

Paid to Cultural Care. Based on a 52 week program.

Minimum weekly au pair stipend³

$195.75

Paid directly to your au pair.

As a Cultural Care host family, you’ll provide your au pair with the essentials

Room, board & utilities

Host families are responsible for providing 3 meals a day and a suitable private bedroom for their au pair.

Transportation & insurance

Host families should provide au pairs with access to a car and car insurance as needed for childcare duties as well as a way to get to classes and activities.

Phone & phone plan

For communication during on-duty hours, au pairs will need a phone.

Up to $500 for education¹

Au pairs must take 6 credits while in the U.S., and families are responsible for paying towards their classes.

Au pair health and emergency support

The health and well-being of au pairs is of the utmost importance, which is why we offer au pair personal safety training, emergency travel insurance, and support services.

Safety training

During their pre-departure training program, our au pairs complete coursework on personal safety led by instructors and safety experts.

Medical insurance

All Cultural Care au pairs are covered by travel insurance in the case of an illness or accident that occurs during their time in the U.S.

24-7 support

In the case of an urgent issue, we offer 24-7 emergency on-call staff support. For non-urgent assistance, au pairs and families can rely on their local Cultural Care representative for help.

We help you prepare for your au pair’s arrival

Support from a local representative

A local representative lives in your area and provides support to your family and au pair throughout your time on the program. An initial in-person interview will be completed before your au pair arrives, in addition to an in-home orientation within two weeks of your au pair’s arrival. Your LCC will also check in every month with you and your au pair and plan at least two program events per year for area host families and au pairs. Some LCCs also organize more frequent meet-ups for au pairs in their groups.

Hear from the host kids

Host kids talk about the impact hosting au pairs has had on them.

What our customers are saying

“Luisa is like another mom to Brennan—sometimes we joke that Brennan has 3 moms, because she is such a nurturing and loving part of Brennan’s life.

Even when she is not working, she enjoys spending family time with us and Brennan.”

— Heather, host mom in CA

Becoming a host family FAQs

Should I host an au pair?

To find out if hosting an au pair will work for your family, you’ll want to confirm that the following statements are all true:

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

• You are able to provide a private bedroom, at least three meals a day, and a way for your au pair to get to classes and outings

• The parents in your family are U.S. citizens or permanent residents

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

In addition, it’s important to be prepared to welcome your au pair as you would an extended family member. You’ll want to spend time getting to know your au pair, invite them to join you for family dinners and activities, and be prepared to help if they need support.

What are the host family requirements?

In order to become a host family with Cultural Care, families must:

Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Pass a criminal background check
Provide a private bedroom for their au pair

In addition, families must be willing to embrace the spirit of the au pair program, which involves actively participating in a cultural exchange and investing time in building a meaningful relationship with their au pair. Opting for au pair services allows families to enjoy flexible childcare while fostering a unique bond and gaining a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity.

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 au 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.

What are my responsibilities as a host family if my au pair gets sick or is in an accident?

All Cultural Care au pairs have emergency travel insurance coverage provided by Erika Insurance Ltd. (Erika)*. If they need medical services or intervention, they should use in-network providers when possible. As the American healthcare system may be very different from what an au pair is used to, we ask that host families help their au pair navigate medical situations when they arise. Erika is partnered with Aetna Student Health who can assist in identifying in-network healthcare options.

In an emergency situation, please first call 911. The Cultural Care emergency service can be reached thereafter by calling 1-800-333-6056.

Regardless of the severity of au pair’s illness, it’s important to give them time to rest and recover so they feel prepared to return to their on-duty responsibilities. For this reason, it’s a good idea to have back-up short-term childcare options in mind.

lt’s also important to note that an au pair’s weekly stipend cannot be withheld for any reason, so for the duration of their illness or injury, au pairs still need to be paid the minimum weekly stipend of $195.75. (For families living in MA, please review weekly stipend amount on our Massachusetts pricing page.)

More FAQs

¹Subject to change based on State Department regulations.

²Monthly 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, suchas meals, insurance, and other amenities. Read more about our au pair program pricing.

³Based on an average hourly rate of $15 per hour for 45 hours per week of care for 50 weeks.

¹Subject to change based on State Department regulations.

²Monthly 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.

³Based on an average hourly rate of $15 per hour for 45 hours per week of care for 50 weeks.