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.

To be a Cultural Care au pair, a candidate must be between the ages of 18 and 26, complete secondary school or the equivalent education, have experience caring for children, be prepared to commit to at least 12 months abroad, and have a valid driver's license. As part of their application, au pairs must submit a doctor-issued health certificate and complete a criminal background check. Au pairs must also be willing to embrace the spirit of the au pair program, meaning they’re ready and excited to share their culture, learn about the U.S. and be part of a mutually beneficial relationship with an American family.

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. When you find a great match, you'll extend an offer to join your family. (Au pairs can initiate a request to match, too.) If you have questions or need help, our team of Matching Specialists is available throughout your search.

The estimated annual cost of the au pair program starts at $21,424, or about $1,785 per month. The total cost of hosting an au pair is calculated by adding the program fee paid to Cultural Care Au Pair ($11,245) and the minimum weekly stipend paid directly to the au pair ($195.75 per week, totaling $10,179 per year). (If you are a host family in Massachusetts, you must comply with MA state law regarding Domestic Workers. Please see the Massachusetts pricing page for more details.) As a host family, you should also factor in additional costs related to room and board, insurance (if applicable), contributions toward your au pair’s Education Requirement, and any other “extras” that will help make your au pair’s time in the U.S. more enjoyable. Host families typically find the cost of hosting an au pair to be comparable or even less expensive than daycare or nannies, especially in metro areas.