While many people use the terms interchangeably, au pairs and nannies are not the same. Here are five key differences between the two.

1. Their role

An au pair is a young person from overseas who joins an American family to care for their children. They travel on a legal, one-year cultural exchange visa through one of several designated au pair agencies. “Au pair” is actually a French term that translates to “on par” or “equal to,” meaning the au pair lives on equal terms with their host family.

As live-in caregivers, au pairs initially commit to a one-year stay but have the opportunity to extend their time in the U.S. for 6, 9 or 12 months.

Nannies, on the other hand, can be anyone employed to care for a child in their own home.

2. Their working conditions and schedule

An au pair's working conditions are regulated by the U.S. Department of State, so there are rules that must be followed. Notably, the au pair's on-duty hours must be limited to 45 hours a week and 10 hours per day.

Because they live with the family, au pairs can provide flexible coverage and can be scheduled for early morning, evening, or weekend hours. An au pair's schedule can also change from week-to-week with enough advance notice.

Nannies can work part-time, full-time, or even overtime, and they typically follow a consistent schedule week-to-week.

3. The cost

The cost of hosting an au pair can be broken down into two main parts: fees paid to an agency for the program administration and year-round support and a minimum weekly stipend of $195.75, paid directly to the au pair.

Families should also consider the additional cost of utilities and food, as well as the costs of including their au pair in family outings and experiences.

Nanny salaries vary widely and will depend on many factors including whether they are part- or full-time, the number of children in their care, and where in the U.S. they're working.

4. Their childcare experience

Au pairs are not professionally trained but many of them have extensive experience as babysitters, tutors, kindergarten assistants, camp counselors, and sports instructors. All au pairs attend a training program before joining their American host families.

Some nannies are professionally trained and pursue childcare as a long-term career, while others may work as nannies temporarily while deciding on college or other career paths.

5. Their role in the family

An au pair is not considered an employee but rather an extended member of the host family. In contrast, the relationship between a nanny and a family is typically viewed as that of an employee and employer.