An au pair is a young person (18-26) from another country who lives with a host family in the United States for 12-24 months, providing up to 45 hours of childcare per week in exchange for room, board, a weekly stipend, and cultural exchange. The program is regulated by the U.S.
10 steps across 1 sections
1. Steps Process
- Determine if an au pair is right for your family — Consider whether you have a private bedroom available, are comfortable with a cultural exchange participant living in your home, and need flexible...
- Choose a designated sponsor agency — Only agencies designated by the U.S. Department of State can legally place au pairs; major agencies include Cultural Care, Au Pair in America, AuPairCare, and G...
- Complete the host family application — Provide family information, childcare needs, household description, and community details; all adults in the household must pass criminal background checks
- Review and match with au pair candidates — Browse profiles of screened candidates; interview via video call; discuss childcare experience, English proficiency, driving ability, and cultural expecta...
- Select your au pair and confirm the match — Both parties agree to the placement; the agency coordinates visa processing (J-1 Exchange Visitor visa)
- Prepare for arrival — Set up the au pair's private bedroom, arrange transportation from the airport, plan the first week's orientation, and outline house rules and childcare expectations
- Welcome and orient your au pair — One or both parents must stay home for the first 3 days to train the au pair on childcare routines, house rules, emergency procedures, and local navigation
- Fulfill ongoing obligations:
- Pay at least $195.75/week in stipend
- Contribute up to $500 toward required academic coursework (6 credits/year)
Common Mistakes
- Treating the au pair as a housekeeper
- Exceeding the 45-hour weekly limit
- Not providing a private bedroom
- Skipping the orientation period
- Cultural misunderstandings
Pro Tips
- Au pairs are most cost-effective for multi-child families
- Interview multiple candidates
- Set house rules in writing before arrival
- Childcare tax credit applies
- Consider the Extraordinaire program