Flexible childcare from $1,7851 per month
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Au pair cost breakdown for new families
Annual program fee2
$11,245
Paid to Cultural Care. Based on a 52 week program.
Minimum weekly au pair stipend3
$195.75
Paid directly to your au pair.
If you live in Massachusetts, check the price here
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Prices are rising everywhere — except here.
While national childcare costs continue to increase, Cultural Care rates are staying the same in 2026. Same great care and cultural exchange, same great price for flexible, full-time care that grows with your family.
New: Now accepting credit cards when you pay in full!
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Loyalty discounts
For families who renew with Cultural Care, or extend with their au pair, we offer significant savings on your program fee.
Additional costs to consider
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We offer three convenient payment options
All payment options include a non-refundable deposit at the time of matching equal to 1/3 of the program fee. For the remaining balance, you can choose between three convenient options. See the examples below based on a 52-week program term.
One payment
Pay in full when you match with an au pair—no additional fees, no fuss.
Full payment
$11,245
$3,749 of this payment a non-refundable deposit
Two payments
Pay your deposit when you match and your remaining balance is automatically deducted by ACH transfer later on.
Non-refundable deposit
$3,749
Paid when you match with your au pair
Remaining balance
$7,496
Paid 30 days before your au pair arrives
Monthly payments
Installments are automatically deducted by ACH transfer monthly.
Non-refundable deposit
$3,749
Paid when you match with your au pair
Monthly installments
$670 x 12
Includes a $45 per month fee
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Earn $250 for each referred family!
When you refer a friend, family member, colleague or neighbor to Cultural Care, you’ll both earn a $250 referral bonus!
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Why Cultural Care?
Hear from our host families: convenient childcare at an accessible price
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“Finding childcare for three kids under the age of two is really hard, especially all in one place.
And the options for childcare get to be pretty expensive. In our area, an au pair is really cost-effective when compared to traditional day care or your average nanny.”
— Liz, host mom in MN
Any questions? Talk to us directly.
1-800-333-6056
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Hosting an au pair FAQ
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.
2Au pairs pay a smaller program fee to the foreign company that screens them, but no portion of that fee is used to pay for the costs of their international airfare or domestic U.S. transportation. Au pairs may be charged additional fees in the event of special travel requests.
3The 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.
4This 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.