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.
Live-in childcare you can trust like family
35+Years experience
More than175,000placed au pairs
1,000+Staff & local representatives
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Why choose us?
35+ years of experience
Largest number of qualified candidates
Online app and innovative matching platform
Host Family Preparation Program
24-7 emergency service
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
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Community events
We host 365+ in-person and online events for our host families and au pairs every year, including baseball games, apple-picking, Bingo and international cooking classes.
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IAPA Au Pair of the Year winner
Cultural Care au pair Antonella Arnau from Argentina was chosen as the Au Pair of the Year by the International Au Pair Association (IAPA) and honored in 2024.
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NYC Marathon Running & Volunteering
Every year we invite host families, au pairs, staff and local representatives to be part of our Cultural Care Kids First Foundation running team and to volunteer on the course.
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
We provide support from day one
Staff in our Boston, Denver and Austin offices are ready to help!
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Matching Specialists
Your Matching Specialist will guide you through the process of searching for and interviewing au pair candidates until you find a great fit.
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Host Family Preparation Team
Your Host Family Preparation Team will share helpful information and tips to ensure you're ready to welcome your au pair.
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Customer Relations Managers
Your Customer Relations manager will offer additional support as needed during your hosting experience.
Cultural Care Kids First Foundation
We believe in the importance of giving back by enriching the lives of children around the world. Our Kids First initiatives include funding a STEM school for girls in South Africa and an urban garden for at-risk youth in Mexico City.
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Meet some of our au pairs
ValentinaArgentina, 23
Infant qualified
Good driver
VillemoSweden, 19
2,000+ hrs childcare experience
Advanced English level
KarlaMexico, 21
Worked as a summer nanny
Studies architecture
BraianArgentina, 22
Advanced English level
Loves singing, dancing and theater
DianaMexico, 26
Infant qualified
2,000+ hrs childcare experience
AngieColombia, 20
Infant qualified
Good driver
What our customers are saying
Hear from our host families
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We are so happy we discovered Cultural Care!
We get childcare help, but even more than that we treasure the exchange with our au pair from Colombia. Our children are learning Spanish, we're learning about new foods and traditions, and we get to share our language and culture in return.
—Kristin, host mom in NJ
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Our experience with Karima has been so wonderful!
There’s just an extra level of comfort knowing that your kids are being cared for by someone who genuinely loves them and doesn’t approach it as just another job.
—Chieze, host mom in MA
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I remember when I felt deeply that she had become a part of our family. We were talking about her life back in Germany.
She loved telling stories about her godson and treasured the special role she played in his life. Although I’m not a religious person, I asked her to be the honorary godmother for Aiden and Asha. She responded with tears of joy. Then and now, I still feel chills knowing how much she loves my children.
—Annie, host mom in NC
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The Cultural Care Au Pair program has changed our lives.
My husband and I have four kids 10 and under and live far from family. [With an au pair], as parents we are more fulfilled, and the kids are cared for. It is a perfect fit for our family dynamic.
—Zana, host mom in CA
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Our girls were recently learning about their ethnic identity at school, as part of the social justice curriculum
And when asked about their ethnic heritage they said, ‘We are Brazilian’. Although Dan and I both have North European ancestry, who are we are argue? That’s the beauty of the au pair program—thanks to Ina, they are little Brazilians!
—Carrie, host mom in WA
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Since Cami has arrived in our home, it has been filled with music, laughter, Colombian food, and dancing!
Spanish flows often through our home, accompanied with music and singing. Even our shy 3-year-old son has broken out of his shell, and has been spotted salsa dancing on multiple occasions! She has quickly become part of our family, and we can't imagine what we would do without her.
—Nicole, host mom in CA
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.
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.
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Introducing our new app
The easiest way to find the right au pair for you
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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!
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