Requirements to becoming a host family

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.

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

1. Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents

2. Pass a criminal background check

3. 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.

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.

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.)