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.
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
Meet some of our au pairs
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
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
Create account
Download app or register online
Complete your profile
Upload photos, references, and other details about your family
Meet program requirements
Complete host family checklist and
in-home interview
Interview & find your au pair
Match and decide on your arrival date
Prepare for arrival
Stay in touch with your au pair while we handle the logistics
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.