Frequently asked questions

An au pair is a young adult aged 18-26 from overseas who lives with an American family on a legal visa for up to two years. While in the U.S., they provide childcare support in exchange for living as a part of your family, room and board, and support towards their required academic studies. Au pairs travel to the U.S. and become a part of your family while also having the opportunity to travel and truly experience life in the United States.

An au pair lives with your family and helps care for your children. They provide childcare on a schedule you decide (up to 10 hours per day, no more than 45 hours per week) and can help with tasks related to childcare, such as laundry, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and transportation to and from school and activities. Au pairs become like extended family members, and it is common for host families to stay in touch with their au pairs long after their time on the program has ended.

Cultural Care au pairs come from 30+ different countries around the world in Central and South America, Europe, South Africa and Asia.

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.

Yes, all au pairs speak English, and their English skills range from proficient to native speaker. During the screening process in their home countries, au pairs are interviewed in English by one of Cultural Care’s recruitment leaders to assess their proficiency. You can use this assessment, which is included in an au pair’s profile, as well as your own conversations with an au pair to determine whether their English abilities match what you are looking for.

Yes. Having an au pair who can drive your children to school and activities is a big benefit of the au pair program, and au pairs are generally licensed to drive in their home country and travel to the U.S. with an International Driver’s Permit. If you plan to have your au pair drive during their year, you’ll need to provide the appropriate coverage under your auto insurance and be prepared to help them adjust to driving in the U.S.

All Cultural Care au pairs must undergo a multi-step screening process and training program before joining their host families. During our screening, au pairs undergo a personal interview, reference check and criminal background check. They also submit a detailed profile including their childcare experience, family background and certificate of health. Before traveling to the U.S., au pairs are required to complete a 32-hour online training and orientation program to review child safety and development. Part of this training includes an online CPR and First Aid course provided by the American Heart Association.

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.

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.

A host family welcomes an au pair into their home to secure live-in, reliable childcare and participate in a cultural exchange. To be eligible, families must fulfill U.S. Department of State requirements. At minimum, host parents must be U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents, fluent in English, and able provide a suitable private bedroom, at least 3 meals a day, and a weekly stipend for their au pair. Host families agree to help their au pair learn about American life by exposing them to new traditions and holidays and to support their au pair’s goals during their time in the U.S.

To find out if hosting an au pair will work for your family, you’ll want to confirm that the following statements are all true:

• You are looking for a flexible, reliable and consistent caregiver for your kids

• You are able to provide a private bedroom, at least three meals a day, and a way for your au pair to get to classes and outings

• The parents in your family are U.S. citizens or permanent residents

• All adults living in your household will pass a criminal background check

In addition, it’s important to prepare to welcome your au pair as you would an extended family member. You’ll want to spend time getting to know your au pair, invite them to join you for family dinners and activities and help them when they need support.

When you decide to host an au pair, it's important to use an agency that is designated by the U.S. Department of State. We ensure State Department regulations are followed and that your au pair arrives with the necessary visa to legally reside with your family for the program term. Beyond that, we do a lot of behind-the-scenes work to make a complicated program very simple and successful for you!

Cultural Care staff members in each recruitment country interview au pair candidates in person, check their references, and make sure all necessary documents are submitted and up-to-date. Au pairs also complete a 32-hour instructor-led orientation program, including adult and pediatric CPR and First Aid instruction from the American Heart Association, and pre-departure readiness workshops in their home countries before they travel to the U.S.

Once a family has found an au pair with the help of our host family app and Matching Specialist team, their local representative will conduct an in-home interview. This time is used to review program regulations, set expectations, and answer questions. Families can also take advantage of our Host Family Preparation Program, which includes live and pre-recorded webinars, to prepare for their au pair’s arrival.

Once an au pair arrives in the U.S., the local representative will check in within 48 hours and perform an in-person orientation during the first two weeks. The local representative will continue to contact both the au pair and host family every month, plan at least two community events per year, and provide support as needed.

Cultural Care office staff in Boston, Denver, and Austin are also available to provide support to host families and au pairs throughout their time on the program, including 24-hour emergency assistance if needed.

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.

Host families must pay their au pairs a minimum weekly stipend of $195.75, which is calculated using the federal minimum wage and a housing credit. Host families and their au pairs may agree to a stipend amount above the legally required minimum, but not in exchange for working hours exceeding the regulatory limits (10 hours per day; 45 hours per week) or performing duties beyond childcare-related tasks. 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.)

No—families have the option to enroll in a monthly payment plan. In this case, families will pay an initial non-refundable deposit of $3,749 (or 1/3 of the program fee) when they match and then a monthly installment of $625 starting on their au pair’s arrival date.

No, host families pay the same program fee and weekly stipend regardless of how many children they have.

Au pairs are considered eligible expenses under the dependent Flex Spending Account (FSA) so ask your employer if they offer a dependent care FSA option. Additionally, you may be able to take advantage of the dependent care tax credit. See Child and dependent care information for more information.

In order to become a host family with Cultural Care, families must: 1. Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; 2. Pass a criminal background check; 3. Provide a 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.

You can apply by downloading our app or clicking the pink “Get started” button on our website.

The time it takes to get an au pair varies from family to family. Most au pairs looking for a host family are still living in their home countries and will need at least six to eight weeks to get their visa, complete Cultural Care’s training program and prepare to leave. But there are a smaller number of au pairs already in the U.S. who are looking for a new host family, and they can arrive to your home much faster. To make things easy, you can use the filters on our app and website to find au pairs who have the same arrival timeframe in mind.

Absolutely! There are lots of single-parent families who host Cultural Care au pairs.

It is possible, however we’ll want to review your child(ren)’s needs to ensure that our program can accommodate your family. We’ll also need to make sure that you are matched with an au pair who has the required experience per the U.S. Department of State regulations. It may take a little longer for your family to find a great au pair match, but it is very possible, and your Cultural Care Matching Specialist is available to help you through the process.

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.

If the person you know meets our au pair requirements and successfully completes Cultural Care Au Pair’s screening and interview process, then it may be possible. You must still register as a host family, create a profile and interview your “pre-arranged match” before making a final decision. It’s also important to note that an au pair cannot be placed in the home of a relative.

Two families cannot share an au pair. Au pairs are required to reside with and provide childcare for only one family during their program term.

Yes, we do accept male au pairs. In fact, male au pairs are some of our most successful caregivers and represent about 10 percent of the program enrollment. Male au pairs often become energetic big brother figures and positive role models for their host children.

All au pairs commit to staying with their host families in the U.S. for at least one year, and they arrive with a legal J-1 visa allowing them to do so. Towards the end of their first year, au pairs can choose to extend their time with their current family or with a new one for an additional 12, 9 or 6 months. Au pairs must complete their Education Requirement and be in good standing with the program in order to extend.

In addition to the meeting the requirements and following the rules set forth by both the U.S. Department of State and Cultural Care Au Pair, you should be prepared to embrace the cultural exchange spirit of the au pair program. This means welcoming your pair as you would an extended family member and helping them adjust once they arrive. You may need to explain household rules and routines more than once as customs can vary between cultures. Asking how their day was, being thoughtful on holidays and their birthday, and including them in family meals will go a long way to help them feel welcome in your family. While the needs of your children are of the utmost importance, it is also important that au pairs receive the benefits of an exchange experience and your full support as their American family.

The U.S. Department of State requires all host families to provide their au pairs with a suitable private bedroom, weekly stipend, up to $500 per year toward their college classes, and a supportive home environment. Families also need to provide a way for their au pairs to get to and from their classes and au pair outings as well as a cell phone plan and car insurance if they are required to drive.

This is a common concern, but one that usually disappears shortly after an au pair arrives. Because an au pair becomes an extended part of your family—many families liken their au pair to an older niece or nephew—it will soon feel “normal” for them to live with you. Au pairs are entitled to a private bedroom so that they have their own space during off-duty time (privacy is important for them as well). They also tend to spend much of their off-duty time with friends, taking classes, and exploring new places.

Yes, Cultural Care Au Pair arranges for au pairs to arrive in the U.S. almost every week out of the year.

Au pairs can help with household duties directly related to the children including the kids’ laundry, meal preparation, and tidying their rooms. As any other family member would, your au pair can also pitch in 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.

No, the U.S. Department of State regulations strictly forbid au pairs to work beyond the 10 hours per day, 45 hours per week limit, even for extra pay. Families must uphold these boundaries to be part of the program.

No, the U.S. Department of State regulations strictly forbid au pairs to work beyond the 10 hours per day, 45 hours per week limit, even for extra pay. Families must uphold these boundaries to be part of the program.

The short answer is yes, but it is important to keep a few things in mind. While the U.S. Department of State regulations do not expressly prohibit overnight hours, precise tracking of these hours is essential. Any on-duty time must be considered working hours, regardless of whether the children are asleep. If, for example, the au pair is expected to get up and tend to an infant during a specific window of time during the evening, all of those hours are considered working time even if the child remains sleeping the whole time. In a 24-hour period, an au pair cannot work for more than 10 hours. So, for example, if an au pair is scheduled from 8pm Monday—6am Tuesday, they cannot work again on Tuesday until 8pm.

In our experience, long-term use of overnight care affects both the quality of life for an au pair and a host family’s ability to be successful on the program. If overnight care is part of a long-term schedule, an au pair might not have enough time to spend with friends or take classes, for example. So, it is important to consider how often this occurs and if a cultural exchange program is the right fit overall. If you do need overnight care, we ask that you speak with one of our Matching Specialists before you begin matching so they can help you assess whether or not our program is suitable for your family.

If your Matching Specialists agrees it’s ok to move forward, it is very important to share details about your need for overnight care in your profile and during conversations with prospective au pairs. Your au pair must understand that your schedule is non-traditional and may not align with other au pairs in the area. If au pairs discover that working a non-traditional schedule is too difficult, families should be ready to provide extra support.

Yes! You are welcome to invite your au pair to join your family on vacation. However, eligibility to travel outside the U.S. will depend on your au pair’s home country and whether they are a first-year or extension au pair. Before bringing your au pair on vacation, it’s a good idea to consult with your Local Childcare Consultant or a Cultural Care staff member to find out what documents your au pair needs to bring along and so you’re aware of any travel restrictions. It is also important to define whether your au pair will be on-duty (and therefore be performing their normal childcare duties) or off-duty (in which case they have agreed to take vacation time and should not be expected to work).

If things aren’t going well with your au pair, you should be in touch with your Local Childcare Consultant (LCC) or a Cultural Care staff member so we can help. The majority of conflicts between host families and au pairs happen as a result of personality differences or misunderstandings and these can usually be resolved through better communication. If your issues cannot be worked out, you may decide to continue the program with a new au pair, in which case we will work with you to find a better match as soon as possible. If you decide not to continue with the program, we will issue a refund if applicable (our refund policy is outline in the Host Family Agreement). Either way, it is expected that your au pair will stay with your family until they can find another host family or travel home.

Yes, all au pairs arrive with medical insurance to cover accidents and illness during their program term.

In the event of an emergency, you can reach an on-call Cultural Care staff member, 24-hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-333-6056.