Cultural Care Au Pair is an official sponsor of the U.S. State Department-regulated au pair program. The State Department regulations are in place to protect both families and au pairs during the exchange year. View the full U.S. Department of State regulations.
The au pair program
Learn about new cultures and invite an au pair into your home
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A mutually rewarding experience
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Host family benefits
Flexible childcare on a schedule you decide
Up to 45 hrs/week (max 10 hrs/day) of coverage
Help with household chores related to the kids
An extra driver and homework helper
Exposure to a new culture
A lifelong global connection
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Benefits for your au pair
Improvement in English level
Opportunity to find a second family abroad
Chance to study in the U.S.
Immersion into American culture
Time off to explore the States
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The au pair program was established as part of the Fulbright Hays Act to improve international diplomacy and build a more interconnected and peaceful world.
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Our host families and au pairs contribute to global understanding through exchanging cultures.
The U.S. Department of State maintains the integrity of the program through ongoing regulations and oversight.
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We help you prepare for your au pair’s arrival and support you throughout your experience
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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.
Au pair program FAQs
To be a Cultural Care au pair, a candidate must:
be between the ages of 18 and 26
pass a physical exam with their doctor
complete secondary school or the equivalent education
have at least 200 hours of childcare experience
be prepared to commit to at least 12 months abroad
complete a criminal background check
have a valid driver’s license
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.
In order to become a host family with Cultural Care, families must:
be U.S. citizen or permanent residents
pass a criminal background check
provide a suitable private bedroom for their au pair
In addition, families must be willing to embrace the spirit of the au pair program—meaning they are ready and excited to participate in a cultural exchange and invest time into building a relationship with their au pair.
Au pairs can help with household duties directly related to the children including the kids’ laundry, meal preparation, and tidying their rooms. Your au pair can also pitch in, as any family member would, with chores that everyone shares, like helping to load the dishwasher after a family dinner and picking up after themselves around the house. Au pairs’ responsibilities around the house should be reasonable and should not include heavy-duty cleaning. Chores also cannot be exclusively assigned to the au pair.