Join our Highly Rated Au Pair Program [Step by Step Guide]

At any given time, there are around 22,000 international au pairs working in the United States. When you join an au pair program, you’ll live with a host family, care for their children, and immerse yourself in the culture, language, and lifestyle of the U.S. It’s an opportunity to explore new horizons and build lifelong friendships, all while earning a salary and developing skills future employers will value.

With over 35 years of experience and 100,000 successful placements, AuPairCare specializes in connecting qualified au pairs with caring host families across the United States. Our program, regulated by the U.S. Department of State, ensures that every au pair receives rigorous training, transparent guidance, and ongoing support throughout their journey. Whether you’re looking to improve your English, gain childcare experience, or explore a new part of the world, AuPairCare can guide you every step of the way.

Today, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about joining an au pair program, including: 

1. The cultural exchange aspects
2. How much you can earn 
3. Our eligibility requirements
4. Why AuPairCare is the best au pair program out there
5. How to apply for AuPairCare’s au pair program
6. What to expect during your time as an au pair in the United States or Europe

Keep reading to learn more about our au pair program, or start your AuPairCare application here!

What Is an Au Pair Program?

What is an au pair, exactly? An au pair is a young adult who lives with a host family in another country and provides childcare in exchange for room, board, and a stipend. With more and more families choosing an au pair for their childcare needs, now is a great time to become involved in these amazing programs.

In the United States, the au pair experience is much more than a childcare job—it’s a cultural exchange that allows you to explore a new country, learn a different language, and develop valuable life skills. For host families, it provides flexible, live-in childcare with a focus on cultural enrichment. 

What Does an Au Pair Do?

The word "au pair" comes from French, meaning "on par" or "equal," which highlights the idea that an au pair is treated as an equal member of the family, rather than just an employee. Au pairs are expected to assist with childcare responsibilities, which may include: 

• Preparing meals and snacks for children
• Bathing and dressing the children
• Helping with homework and taking kids to school
• Playing and sharing your culture 
• Coming up with activities and things to do with the kids
• Taking kids on trips to parks, museums, or playgrounds 
• Assisting with children’s laundry and keeping play areas tidy 
• Other childcare-related tasks and chores

In the United States, au pairs work a maximum of 45 hours per week and must have at least one-and-a-half consecutive days off each week, as regulated by the U.S. Department of State. 

The au pair program also includes an educational component, requiring au pairs to complete a certain number of academic credits or hours at an accredited U.S. institution during their stay. This enhances the cultural and educational experience and ensures a balanced and enriching time for the au pair.

Want to know what a week in the life of an au pair looks like? Here’s a glimpse into an au pair’s schedule:

The Cultural Exchange Aspect of an Au Pair Program

Being an au pair is as much about becoming an integrated part of a family as it is about providing childcare. One of the main program benefits is that you’ll have the chance to share your home country’s customs, traditions, and language with your host family, while also learning about theirs. This mutual exchange of culture can help bridge global understanding and create lifelong connections. 

Living with a host family allows au pairs to fully immerse themselves in American culture—whether that means celebrating your host family’s holidays, trying new foods, or discovering local traditions. Your English will improve, and you’ll gain amazing insights into everyday life in your new surroundings, all while offering your host family the same opportunity to experience another culture up close.

Through organized social events, study, community service, and travel, au pairs also have the chance to meet other au pairs from around the world. These experiences, both inside and outside the home, make the au pair program amazing for personal and cultural growth.

How Much Can an Au Pair Earn in the United States?

The U.S. Department of State requires host families to pay au pairs a minimum weekly stipend, which is currently set at $195.75. When you join AuPairCare, the minimum weekly stipend is higher, at $215. Host families and au pairs are free to agree to a weekly stipend even higher than the $215 per week minimum. 

Since the program is live-in, au pairs don’t need to worry about meals, rent, or utility costs, so your stipend can cover personal expenses. Plus, as part of the program’s educational requirement, au pairs receive a $500 contribution from their host family towards the cost of taking academic courses at an accredited U.S. institution. Au pairs are required to complete 6 credits or equivalent in college classes.

Want to know how much you can make as an au pair in the United States? Find out with our free earnings calculator!

Why Choose AuPairCare for Your Au Pair Experience?

Joining the right au pair program is the first step in making sure you have a rewarding, safe time overseas. At AuPairCare, we have almost four decades of experience in placing au pairs with loving, caring host families. As a U.S. Department of State-regulated program, we go above and beyond to make sure our au pairs have all the help and support they need, with our: 

1. Rigorous host family selection and screening process
2. Exclusive AuPairConnect welcome orientation in New York City
3. 24/7, year-round support and guidance 

Here’s a closer look at why AuPairCare has been the preferred choice for more than 100,000 au pairs working in the United States and Europe.  

Rigorous Selection Process for Host Families

Both host families and au pairs must meet our selection criteria and program qualifications, ensuring a safe, positive relationship for everyone involved. Host families entering our au pair program must: 

• Pass a criminal background check
• Be able to provide au pairs with a private room for their stay
• Speak English at home 
• Limit au pair work to 45 hours per week or 10 hours per day
• Only assign childcare-related tasks to their au pairs 
• Pay the au pair the minimum weekly stipend, plus a $500 educational allowance
• Provide the au pair with transport to monthly meetings and classes

We thoroughly screen and conduct an in-person interview with all host families who apply to host au pairs, and ensure they understand the requirements and expectations of our programs. 

Exclusive AuPairConnect Welcome Orientation in New York City

AuPairCare Connect in New York City is one of the most unique, valuable aspects of being an au pair with AuPairCare. Rather than flying straight to your host family, we give you a chance to get your bearings with an orientation for all our new au pairs. 

We’ll fly you to NYC for a two-day welcome event where you can make new friends, connect with fellow au pairs, and find your feet in the United States before heading off to meet your host family. As well as our orientation sessions that set you up for a successful year as an au pair, we also make sure there’s time for fun group activities and an all-day tour of one of the world’s most incredible and iconic cities. 

By the end of AuPairCare Connect, you’ll be feeling confident, excited, supported, and ready for the best year of your life. Once you create an AuPairCare account, you’ll be able to visit the AuPairCare Connect information page to learn more. 

Support and Guidance from AuPairCare

We’re all about setting our au pairs up for success, which means we’re offering you as much support as you need from day one! Your training program and introduction to life as an au pair begins before you even leave your home country. Once we match you with a host family, we’ll give you access to our Academy Training Program, which you can work through prior to your departure. 

Rather than flying directly to meet your host family, we first take all our new U.S.-based au pairs to New York City for AuPairCare Connect. This will ease you into life in the United States and give you a chance to make new friends and feel confident to start your journey as an au pair. 

After AuPairCare Connect wraps up, you’ll arrive at your host family’s home and begin your program. But our support doesn’t end there! For local support, you’ll meet your Area Director, who is based in your region and does everything they can to ensure you have a safe, happy au pair experience. 

Your Area Director is your first point of contact for any questions or issues that come up during your time abroad. They’ll also introduce you to other au pairs in your area and coordinate fun monthly events, provide you with information on your new city, and help you find local universities where you can take classes.

You can also contact your Regional Manager or our headquarters staff for support. Our 24/7 after-hours line is available for au pairs who need assistance when our offices are closed, so you’re never on your own!

Hear From Our Au Pairs!

Don’t just take our word for it—hear from AuPairCare au pairs who’ve taken part in our program! You can find AuPairCare stories here, or see a snapshot of our testimonials below to learn what our au pairs love so much about this program: 

My experience is being great, because i have an awesome family and amazing host kids. I take care of two kids and i work with another Au Pair in the house. Is an amazing experience to share this job with another Au Pair! My family is wonderful, they make me feel part of the family and we love to spend time together. My host kids are amazing and i love to be their Au Pair, they make me happy everyday. We do all kind of things and is amazing. -Maria Emilia Lizarraga, Au pair

‍I am really greatful to Aupaircare company because of they give to lot of people hope to acces for new goals, and they provide to young people to live in a different culture.. Also they care about the people who applied this program. They make meetings and checking every mounth.. Those are valuable things. I am really glad that I am a part of this community! -Sümeyra Algül, Au pair 

My host family has been great, I consider myself a privilege Aupair because of all the extra things my host family do for me. I’m part of the family and I’m always included. Aupair care has been a great agency, my area director is always in touch with me and all Aupairs, she does a lot of fun activities to meet more girls. -Mariluz Meza Godoy, Au pair

Will you be next? Start your AuPairCare application today! 

Eligibility Requirements to Join an Au Pair Program in the U.S.

The U.S. Department of State regulates au pair programs to ensure both the safety and quality of the experience, setting specific requirements that all applicants must meet. As well as these government regulations, AuPairCare has its own list of au pair requirements to ensure that every au pair is well-prepared and capable of excelling in their role. Let’s take a look at what it takes to join an au pair program in the United States. 

Basic Requirements Set by the U.S. Department of State

The U.S. Department of State establishes a set of minimum requirements that all au pairs must meet to participate in any government-approved program, including AuPairCare. These requirements ensure that au pairs are mature, responsible, and capable of providing quality care for children. The basic program qualifications include:

• Age: Au pairs must be between 18 and 26 years old at the time of your au pair program start date
• Education: Au pairs are required to have completed the equivalent of a high school diploma in their home country
• Language proficiency: Au pairs must be proficient in English (your English will also improve significantly throughout the program!)
• Criminal background check: All au pairs must pass a criminal background check to ensure the safety of the host family and children
• Health requirements: Au pairs must provide proof of good health, including a medical exam and immunizations, to ensure they are physically capable of performing their duties

Also, for an au pair to be placed in a home with children under two years of age, they must first complete at least 200 hours of documented infant childcare. 

AuPairCare-Specific Criteria

As well as the criteria outlined by the U.S. Department of State, we have some specific eligibility requirements that must be met before you can join our au pair program in the USA. These include: 

• Previous childcare experience 
• Holding a valid driver’s license 
• Being available for a 12-month placement 
• Meeting all U.S. entry requirements 

As long as you meet these criteria, we’d love to welcome you onboard! Get your AuPairCare application started here.

How to Apply for AuPairCare’s Au Pair Program

We’ve given you a program overview, talked about what your responsibilities will be, and discussed the eligibility criteria, but how do you actually join our au pair program? Applying to AuPairCare can be broken down into a few important steps: 

1. Complete your online application
2. Attend host family interviews 
3. Match with your ideal host family 
4. Complete AuPairCare’s Training Academy Program
5. Travel to your home away from home! 

Here’s a closer look at each step to help you understand the application process. 

Complete Your Online Application

The first step toward becoming an au pair is to start your au pair application. Once we have your details, we’ll put you in touch with an AuPairCare representative in your country who can help you along the way. Make sure you tell us lots about yourself, and upload all the necessary information so that our host families can begin to interview you!

Attending Host Family Interviews

Once you’re in our system, host families will be able to review your profile to see if they think you’d be a good fit for their home. You’ll then meet these American host families virtually to get to know them a bit more and see whether they’re the right match. Choosing your host family is a two-way street—everyone must agree that it’s a good fit and you will never find yourself simply assigned to a family. 

Match With Your Ideal Family 

You can interview with more than one family, and you’ll have the chance to ask questions and learn about each other’s lifestyles and expectations from the au pair program. Generally, you’ll speak with a family two or more times before making a decision—we want to make sure you and your host family are both excited and happy with the match!

Complete AuPairCare’s Training Academy Program

Once you and your host family have both agreed to the match and decided on an arrival date, AuPairCare will book your flight. Before you depart your home country, there’s some important training you need to do. You’ll receive access to AuPairCare’s Academy Training Program, which you can work through at your own speed before you leave. 

The training covers lots of different aspects of childcare, including CPR and first aid, as well as an introduction to life as an au pair. The AuPairCare Virtual Academy is a mixture of videos, lessons, and interactive webinars, and it will help you feel much more prepared and ready for your big adventure.

Travel to Your Home Away From Home! 

Once your training is done and you have your visa, it’s time to fly! If you’re joining our U.S. program, your journey begins at AuPairCare Connect in New York City, where you’ll complete more training and meet other au pairs in the program. Then, you’ll join your host family and begin your one-year au pair placement. And of course, your local Area Director is there to help you every step of the way! 

Start Your Journey With AuPairCare Today!

Becoming an au pair is an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture, gain valuable childcare experience, and form lifelong connections with your host family. At AuPairCare, it’s our mission to make sure every au pair has a rewarding, unforgettable, safe experience during their time as an au pair. 

With over 35 years of experience and more than 100,000 successful placements, we’re committed to cultural exchange and helping prospective au pairs find a family that’s right for them. We provide our au pairs with extensive training, resources, and on-the-ground support, giving you everything you need for an incredible year of self-discovery and growth. 

Join the best au pair program in the United States—start your journey with AuPairCare today!