Benefits of hosting an au pair:
Up to 45 hours of care per week on a schedule you decide
An extra driver to transport kids to activities
Help with household duties related to the children
An extended member of your family and parenting team
Exposure to a different culture and language
A big sister or brother figure for your children
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The largest selection of au pairs
Cultural Care Au Pair has the largest number of available candidates, all of whom must undergo a multi-step screening process. Meet some of our au pairs below:
What our host families are saying
Choosing childcare is no easy decision. Because as parents, we don’t ever want to compromise on quality, flexibility, and trust when finding care for the most important people in the world. Hosting a Cultural Care au pair gives thousands of families across the country those very important benefits.
We are here to help you
During your search for an au pair, your Matching Specialist will work with you to find candidates for you based on your criteria or simply act as a resource for help or advice. After you’re matched with an au pair, you’ll have support throughout the year from your Local Childcare Consultant (LCC) and Account Manager.
General questions
What is an au pair?
An au pair is a young adult aged 18-26 from overseas who lives with an American family on a legal visa for up to two years. While in the U.S., they provide childcare support in exchange for living as a part of your family, room and board, and support towards their required academic studies. Au pairs travel to the US and become a part of your family while also having the opportunity to travel and truly experience life in the United States.
What’s the difference between an au pair and nanny?
Many people use the terms ”au pair” and “nanny” interchangeably, but there are some important distinctions to make between the two. First, an au pair, by definition, 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 a designated au pair agency. Au pairs are live-in caregivers who 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. Their working hours and conditions are regulated by the U.S. Department of State.
Au pairs have at least 200 hours of experience (usually many more) as babysitters, tutors, kindergarten assistants, camp counselors and sports instructors. All au pairs attend a training program before joining their American host families. They are excited to join an American family and immerse themselves in American culture.
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.
Should I get an au pair?
Hosting an au pair has been an amazing experience for many American families, but the program is not right for everyone! You should consider hosting an au pair if the following statements are all true:
- You are looking for a reliable, flexible, and consistent caregiver for your kids.
- You are excited about welcoming a young person from abroad into your family, sharing American culture with them, and supporting them throughout their stay in the U.S.
- You are willing and able to provide a private bedroom, at least three meals a day, and other amenities to make their stay more comfortable.
- You are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and so is your partner (if applicable).
- All adults living in your household would pass a criminal background check.
How much does an au pair cost?
Most families find the cost of hosting an au pair to be comparable to daycare or nannies on an annual basis. Though payments are not made monthly—and host families may agree with their au pairs to pay a higher weekly stipend amount than the required minimum—for easy comparison, au pair program costs average out to about $1,660 per month. As a host family, you may also incur additional costs, such as room and board for your au pair, additional insurance (if applicable), and any other “extras” that will help make your au pair’s time in the U.S. more enjoyable.
Can we get an au pair at any time during the year?
Yes, Cultural Care Au Pair arranges for au pairs to arrive in groups almost every week out of the year.
Covid safety
Au pairs arriving from outside of the U.S. must show proof of being fully vaccinated before their flight. Limited exceptions apply, please see the CDC website for details.
Host families and au pairs are encouraged to discuss and mutually agree on the COVID safety measures that both parties will follow during their time together.