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.
Become a host family
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What you'll need to start your host family journey
Host an au pair from $1,785 per month
Au pair stipend & costs explained
Annual program fee1
$11,245
Paid to Cultural Care. Based on a 52 week program.
Minimum weekly au pair stipend2
$195.75
Paid directly to your au pair.
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As a Cultural Care host family, you’ll provide your au pair with the essentials
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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.
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Safety training
During their pre-departure training program, our au pairs complete coursework on personal safety led by instructors and safety experts.
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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.
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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.
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Hear from the host kids
Host kids talk about the impact hosting au pairs has had on them.
What our customers are saying
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“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
Learn more
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Becoming a host family FAQs
1Au 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.
2The 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.
3This 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.
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.