The total cost of hosting an au pair includes agency fees and a weekly stipend that is paid directly to your au pair. There are also other variable costs associated with hosting—such as room and board and additional insurance.
You may be surprised to learn that the total cost—which calculates to a minimum starting cost of $1,775 per month—is competitive when compared to hiring a nanny or using daycare. Sometimes, it’s less expensive!
If you’re a family living in Massachusetts, there are additional costs and other requirements that will apply. Please click here for details.
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Paid to Cultural Care Au Pair
Registration fee
Processing fee
Program fee
$75
$450
$10,595
Due at time of registration
Due upon final selection of your au pair
Due 30 days prior to au pair’s arrival
Paid to your au pair
Minimum weekly stipend
$195.75/week¹ ($10,179/year)
Due on the same day each week for 52 weeks
Total minimum costs
$1,775 monthly minimum cost
$21,299 yearly minimum cost
Agency fees explained:
Registration fee
Gives you access to our online database of available au pairs and the ability to start matching
Processing fee
Allows you to secure your final au pair match
Program fee
Includes the services and support provided by Cultural Care Au Pair and other program-related costs, including your au pair’s international airfare
Au pair fees explained:
Minimum Weekly stipend¹
Au pairs provide up to 45 hours per week of childcare coverage (no more than 10 hours per day and not overnight)
Additional costs
When considering your family budget for the program, it’s important to plan for additional costs that you may incur as a host family—below are some incidental costs to keep in mind. Because being a host parent requires consideration for your au pair’s experience as well as your family’s needs, you’ll also want to plan for the cost of including your au pair in family outings and celebrations.
Education Requirement
You’ll contribute up to $5002 towards your au pair’s education requirement of 6 college credits during their term.
Room and board
You’ll provide a private bedroom and regular meals for your au pair. Families often provide access to a car, cell phone, and include their au pair in family vacations.
Insurance
If your au pair will drive, you’ll need to cover additional auto insurance, and in some states you may need workers’ compensation coverage.
Explore our Extended Payment Plan (EPP)
If you’d prefer to pay the program fee in installments, we offer an Extended Payment Plan. To be eligible, host families must host au pair for a minimum of 44 weeks. Payment through our Extended Payment Plan is accepted by eCheck only. Click the arrow for more details.
Installment 1:
$3,195
+ $200 enrollment fee
Due 30 days before your au pair’s arrival
Installment 2:
$2,600
+ $50 administrative fee
Due 2 months after your au pair’s arrival
Installment 3:
$2,400
+ $50 administrative fee
Due 4 months after your au pair’s arrival
Installment 4:
$2,400
+ $50 administrative fee
Due 6 months after your au pair’s arrival
Explore our Discounts
Cultural Care Au Pair offers many discounts for both new and repeat host families. If you have specific questions regarding any of our discounts, please call us at 1-800-333-6056. Offers cannot be applied retroactively and may not be combined with any other program fee discounts.
New families – Register for free!
Register using promotional code PCREGWAIVER to receive a registration fee waiver to save $75! *To qualify, families must be new to Cultural Care Au Pair and welcome an au pair by September 30, 2023. Processing fee of $450 must be paid upon final au pair selection. Offer cannot be applied retroactively and may not be combined with any other program fee discounts (excluding host family referral bonuses). Program fee discounts must be applied at the time of registration, and may only be applied to program terms of 30 weeks or more.
Military family discount – Save $1,075
Cultural Care Au Pair is proud to support our military. We offer a $75 registration fee waiver AND a $1,000 program fee discount to both active members of the military as well as veterans. Families can apply using code PCMilitary, and must show proof of their military service. To be eligible for the Cultural Care military discount, families must be new to Cultural Care, must be hosting a term that’s at least 30 weeks in length, and at least one parent must be or have been a member of the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard). Proof of service will be required to determine eligibility for the discount.
Make the switch – Save up to $1,075
We welcome families from other au pair agencies to host with us. As a family experienced with the au pair program, host families who switch to Cultural Care Au Pair are entitled to $1,075 in savings! Register using promo code PCTFS to receive a $75 registration fee waiver and a $1,000 program fee discount. Families must submit proof of payment of their agency’s program fees (proof of payment of application fee does not qualify). The $1,000 program fee savings will be applied upon receipt of proof of payment and will only be applied to one program fee. Program fee discounts may only be applied to program terms of 30 weeks or more.
Corporate program discount
Cultural Care Au Pair offers an employee benefit program and discount through a number of companies and organizations. To find out if your employer or organization participates in our corporate program, please check with your HR team or contact us at aupairbenefits@culturalcare.com.
1The U.S. Department of State has determined that au pairs are required to receive from their host families at least $195.75 per week. Host families and au pairs are free to discuss and agree to compensation higher than the required stipend minimum; however, this cannot be in exchange for the au pair exceeding the regulatory limits on working hours (10 hours per day; 45 hours per week) or performing duties beyond childcare-related tasks. The State Department formula is based on the federal minimum wage and applicable room and board credits. Any change in the federal minimum wage or the applicable credits will result in an increase in this minimum stipend amount. Please note, should a family extend beyond the first year, they would be responsible for the stipend for each week of the extension term.
2This contribution towards an au pair’s education requirement is determined by the U.S. Department of State, and families agree to comply with any increase that is issued.
