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Childcare you can trust like family

Lives in your home & follows a flexible schedule


CPR & First Aid trained


Shares their culture and language

Au pair compared to other childcare options

Nanny

from 3,3752 per month

  • Varied training and certifications


  • Typically requires a 9-5 schedule


  • Higher overall cost

Au Pair

from $1,7851 per month

  • Becomes a part of the family


  • Lives in your home with you


  • CPR & First Aid trained


  • Follows a flexible schedule


  • 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

Benefits of hosting an au pair

Exposure to a different culture and language


Help with household duties related to the children


An extended member of your family and parenting team


Up to 45 hours of care per week on a schedule you decide


An extra driver to transport kids to activities


A big sister or brother figure for your children


Our program works best for families who have a genuine interest in cultural exchange

Learn more about what it’s like to host an au pair

What our customers are saying

We absolutely love our au pair and couldn’t imagine life without her.

Childcare, family bonding, and cultural enrichment all in one shot. After struggling with daycare and babysitters, we no longer worry or stress. It’s amazing to have consistency!

— Shannon, host mom in RI 

Hosting an au pair FAQs

Au pairs join our program for many reasons, but first and foremost because of their desire to join an American family and learn more about American culture. Au pairs also want to improve their English, make new friends, explore the USA and gain international work experience.

Cultural Care au pairs come from 30+ different countries around the world in Central and South America, Europe, South Africa and Asia.

Many people understand the terms “au pair” and “nanny” to mean the same thing, but they are actually quite different. In the U.S., an au pair refers to a young person from overseas who lives with an American family to care for their children and participate in a cultural exchange. They travel on a legal, one-year visa through a designated au pair agency, and their working hours and conditions are regulated by the U.S. Department of State. 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. They are excited to immerse themselves in new culture, improve their English and explore the U.S. The term “nanny”, on the other hand, is a more general term that can be used to describe both professionally trained caregivers and those with less formal experience.

The Cultural Care app makes matching with au pairs easy! After signing up and creating your profile, you’ll be able to search for au pairs in the app and use our filters to narrow down your search. You can favorite the candidates you like best and start a chat or video call right through the app. Once you find a great match, you'll extend an offer to join your family. (Au pairs can initiate a match, too.) And if you have questions or need help along the way, our team of Matching Specialists is available throughout your search.

Introducing our new app

The easiest way to find the right au pair for you

Steps to welcome an au pair

Step 1

Create account

Download app or register online

Step 2

Complete your profile

Upload photos, references, and other details about your family

Step 3

Meet program requirements

Complete host family checklist and
in-home interview

Step 4

Interview & find your au pair

Match and decide on your arrival date

Step 5

Prepare for arrival

Stay in touch with your au pair while we handle the logistics

Step 6

Welcome your au pair

Start your cultural exchange experience!

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.
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.