Advice For Host Families

How Much Does an Au Pair Cost?

When your family hosts an au pair, they become more than someone to watch the kids. You gain a temporary family member, a partner in parenting, and a trustworthy caregiver for your children. With all that they offer, many families wonder: what does an au pair cost?

April 2, 2026

Can I Interview Au Pairs Before Choosing One? (What Every Host Family Should Know)

Yes, families can and should always interview an au pair as part of their matching process. Hosting an au pair for live-in childcare is a big decision that carries impact for all members of your family. By interviewing your au pair before matching, both parties can get a feel for compatibility, while also addressing questions about personality, requirements, and obligations.

March 23, 2026

How Au Pairs Help Military Families

Life in a military family is a constant flurry of activity, filled with unique challenges. Active duty commitments, deployment, and regular travel are integral parts of military life. Amidst all these changes and uncertainties, one aspect that requires unwavering stability is childcare. This is where the concept of an au pair for a military family comes into play.

March 10, 2026

Au Pairs vs. Nannies vs. Daycare

Au pairs, nannies, and daycares may seem to offer the same childcare for your family, but an au pair is much more than a live-in nanny. From the school year into the summer, au pairs keep your children engaged and having fun!

February 9, 2026

Military Families Share Why AuPairCare is Their Childcare Solution

Military spouses face extraordinary challenges trying to find flexible and reliable childcare that fits their family’s unique needs and schedules. From deployments to PCS changes, these factors of military life add complex dynamics to an already difficult task. That’s why many military families decide to host an au pair. In fact, over 10% of families who host an au pair in the United States are military families. In this blog, read reviews from military moms and dads in our program to see why choosing AuPairCare for live-in childcare can be a great fit for your family.

December 1, 2025

Why Military Families Choose Au Pairs for Consistent and Flexible Childcare

Read why more military families are hosting an au pair, and the emotional benefits they provide for the children of military members.

May 23, 2025

Why Host an Au Pair from Sweden?

Swedish au pairs bring rich cultural experiences and exceptional skills to the table, making them a fantastic choice for families seeking live-in childcare. At AuPairCare, we’ve learned that understanding an au pair’s background can help families create stronger connections. Here’s everything you need to know about Swedish au pairs and why they might be the perfect fit for your family!

May 20, 2025

Why Host an Au Pair from Argentina?

Argentinian au pairs bring warmth, passion, and a deep love for family to their roles, making them exceptional caregivers—and fantastic cultural ambassadors. At AuPairCare, we believe the unique traits of Argentinian au pairs can create a meaningful and enriching experience for both host families and the au pairs themselves. Here’s everything you need to know to make the choice easier!

May 13, 2025

The Ultimate FAQ Guide for Hosting an Au Pair

Read our FAQ to answer your questions about hosting an au pair as a first-time host family!

May 8, 2025

Why Host an Au Pair from Brazil?

Brazilian au pairs are known for their warmth, family values, and ability to bring a dynamic and vibrant energy into any household. From their extensive childcare experience to their passion for connecting with children, Brazilian au pairs make an incredible addition to any family.

April 29, 2025

The Life-Changing Benefits of Multilingualism for Children: Why Raising Multilingual Kids Matters in the Modern World

How many languages can you speak? In a globally connected world, a rapidly growing number of people are becoming multilingual.

September 23, 2024

Episode 1: Lara from Germany - "What is an Au Pair"

Welcome to "What is an Au Pair" by AuPairCare! Explore your amazing au pair program through recent engaging interviews with host families and au pairs and listen to our program participants' enriching stories and cultural exchange moments. In the first episode, AuPairCare alumni Lara shares her inspiring journey as an au pair and how it changed her life and career path—going from wanting to be a teacher to starting her new career as an occupational therapist.

September 12, 2024

Enhancing the Au Pair Program with AuPairCare Connect NYC Experience

The AuPairCare Connect New York City experience is designed as a warm welcome and an adventurous start for au pairs arriving from overseas. Before au pairs embark on their journey with their host families, they are given a grand introduction to the United States through a 2-day welcome event in none other than New York City—one of the most iconic and vibrant cities in the world.

April 24, 2024

Au Pair Taxes: A Guide for Au Pairs and Host Families

We at AuPairCare are already getting lots of questions from host families and au pairs concerning taxes, so we aggregated some of the most requested information for your easy reference.

May 2, 2023

The Rising Cost of Childcare

The cost of childcare has become undeniably overwhelming for many families. Parents must have access to affordable childcare options that allow families to go to work while ensuring their children have excellent care in their absence. With an average cost of just over $1,300 per month as of 2021, families with children in the infant to toddler age range must pay nearly $16,000 each year in childcare costs.

March 8, 2023

Getting Started as a Host Family

Ready to find an au pair for your family? Here's how to get started:

September 22, 2022

What Host Families Need to Know About the J-1 Visa

When families first explore hosting an au pair, the J-1 visa is often one of the first questions that comes up. What is it? Who handles it? What does it mean for your family? The good news is that AuPairCare manages the visa sponsorship process on your behalf — but understanding how the J-1 visa works helps you set the right expectations from the start. Here's everything host families need to know.

September 3, 2022

Au Pairs vs. Nannies: What’s the Difference?

What is an au pair vs. a nanny? Is a nanny or au pair right for your family? Finding the perfect caregiver for your child can have a lasting impact on their development, and can reduce the stress of parenting.

August 8, 2022

Meeting Your Au Pair or Host Family For the First Time

The 'Big Day' has finally arrived! It's time to meet your new family member and much preparation has gone into it. Emotions run high in anticipation of finally meeting each other and everyone is always excited - maybe even a little nervous too.

May 10, 2022

What Is An Au Pair?

It can be challenging to decide on the right kind of childcare for your family. From babysitters to professional caregivers, there are many services provided by different childcare options. Au pairs are one of these professional caregivers, but what is an au pair exactly?

April 5, 2022

Au Pair Meaning Explained: A Brief History

The term “au pair” means a live-in childcare provider who is viewed as an equal member of their host family. The meaning of the term “au pair” comes from its french translation to “at par” or “equal to” referring to the equal status they share with their host families compared to other forms of childcare.

March 24, 2022

Live In Childcare Can Change Your Household. Here's How!

For many parents and caregivers, time demands are among the most stressful aspects of raising children. It can feel like there simply aren't enough hours in the day for everything that needs to happen between breakfast and bedtime. Live in childcare can be the solution to your family's busy schedule.

March 15, 2022

How to Hire an Au Pair: Everything You Need To Know

Many families are looking for caregivers like an au pair to help with the daily bustle of life with kids. Wondering how to hire an au pair? We'll explore what the process of hiring an au pair is like, and how AuPairCare makes it easy to find the perfect caregiver for your family.

February 24, 2022

Hear From A Host Mom: Reasons For Choosing an Au Pair

My best friend is considering hosting an au pair and she has all the typical concerns; someone else is living in our house, are they going to be a good driver, will my kids listen to her?

December 7, 2021

How Au Pair Childcare Improves Work-Life Balance

Looking for a childcare solution that helps you to balance it all? Check out the following six reasons that au pair childcare improves work-life balance.

July 27, 2021

The Top 3 Tips for Having the Extension Conversation

Here at AuPairCare, we receive tons of questions from first-time host parents and au pairs! What does an au pair do? How do I find the right au pair for my family? One question that arises midway through the program year for both our au pairs and host parents is How do I keep this great thing going?

July 12, 2021

Choose Your Summer Au Pair

Spring has sprung but believe it or not, it's time to start thinking about a summer au pair! Our match deadlines are quickly approaching:

May 25, 2021

7 Things to Look for in a Nanny or Au Pair

Finding the right childcare provider is tough, and for those not prepared, it can turn into a full-time job fast. The choices can be overwhelming and the qualifications of the candidates can vary dramatically. While the search is not always easy, we're sure you agree it's worth it to find the perfect companion for your little ones.

January 12, 2021

5 Tips For Working at Home With Kids

For many parents adjusting to temporarily working from home, getting any work done can feel like an uphill battle. From your littles wanting to play with mom or dad to teens needing extra supervision, your days can feel long and busy. Read on for our tips to optimize at-home working.

April 10, 2020

How to Tackle Stress Awareness Month

April is Stress Awareness Month, which means recognizing that we do get stressed, while also finding effective ways to tackle it and relax. Whether you're an au pair or a host parent, stress will sneak up on you or come full force when handling your kids, so sit back and relax, because here are our tips to de-stress this April.

April 10, 2019

4 Tips for Staying Organized This Winter

We all know that it can get a little extra crazy during the winter months. Between kid's activities, school, and holiday events, it's easy to let things slip. To avoid losing important items, plans, and your mind, here are some organizational tips for you and the family this winter season!

December 12, 2018

How to Set Clear Expectations with Your Nanny or Au Pair on Day One

There is nothing more important to a student than their first day of school -or the first day of work to a new employee. So it follows that this would also be true for the first day of childcare with a new provider. The way you as the parents organize those first few days sets the foundation for great relationships or can set you all up for a rough start. No pressure, right? To make it a great start, follow these tips for a smooth transition.

December 13, 2017

Hear From A Host Dad: Hosting an Au Pair

Let me tell you what I like about having an au pair as a host dad (saying that makes me feel old).

September 1, 2017

Traveling With an Au Pair: Vacations The Way They Were Meant To Be

Ahhh, vacation. Whether it's skiing or sunbathing, nothing recharges our batteries quite like time away from home and the office. That is unless that time includes your kids.

July 14, 2017

Preparing for the Summer Travel Season

With summer approaching it is the perfect time to remind au pairs and host families of all the resources available to help make every participant's program year the best it can be!

May 10, 2017

5 Reasons To Choose an Au Pair Agency

Curious if you should use a designated United States au pair agency vs arranging an au pair directly? Read the 5 reasons the answer is go with an Agency!

March 8, 2017

How an Au Pair Can Help You In 2017

What are your resolutions for 2017? For many American families the list includes desire to spend more quality time with loved ones, save a little more and decrease stress. Welcoming an au pair now can help you meet some of your resolutions for the new year!

January 3, 2017

AuPairCare Gives Back Across the Country

AuPairCare is so proud of the au pairs in our program and their commitment to giving back totheir adopted community! See how clusters in New York, Washington and Maryland gave back this past November.

December 9, 2016

For Host Parents: Helping Your Au Pair Beat Homesickness

Starting the au pair program is exciting for everyone but also requires an adjustment period. AuPairCare does a lot to prepare au pairs for missing home, but there are some ways you can help your au pair as well:

November 11, 2016

Hear From a Host Mom: What is it Really Like to Have an Au Pair?

What's it really like to have a live-in nanny? believe me when I tell you that having a live-in nanny is not awkward. In fact, it's pretty awesome.

October 27, 2016

Au Pairs from AuPairCare Infographic

There is so much for families to consider when choosing childcare; affordability, safety, reliability, and flexibility. AuPairCare solves those problems with an au pair program that is competitive with other forms of childcare, including traditional nannies and daycares, without the extra hassles of late pickup fees and different rates for multiple children.

July 14, 2016

Are Children Really Better at Learning a Foreign Language?

If you are concerned with the academic prowess of your little one(s), or happen to have a spouse who speaks another language, you may have researched foreign language learning for your kids. In fact, it may be a main motivation behind choosing an au pair to care for your children. With all the current chatter about second language acquisition in children, many wonder, 'Are children really better than adults at learning a foreign language?'

March 30, 2016

5 Things NOT to Ask When Interviewing Your Childcare Provider

Finding the perfect childcare provider for your family can be hard, especially when undergoing the interviewing process. How do you accurately judge the skill sets and compatibility of candidates in such a brief encounter? The following 5 tips on what not to ask potential caregivers will help you get to know your future caregiver and assess whether they are up for the job.

March 17, 2016

10 Fears and Misconceptions about Hosting an Au Pair

Want to know is what it's really like to have an au pair? We've addressed some of the most common fears and misconceptions host families have about the au pair program.

March 1, 2016

Au Pairs: A Unique Solution for Military Families

Many military families have found that flexible au pair childcare works for their unique schedule. Learn how military families can benefit from the schedule flexibility, cultural exchange and live-in support of an AuPairCare au pair.

January 27, 2016

AuPairCare Reviews and Testimonials

We've received some amazing awards over the years at AuPairCare but nothing quite compares to the great ratings, reviews, and testimonials that parents and au pairs share with us!

July 24, 2015

All About Infants Training Program

The curriculum for AuPairCare's infant training program is built around maintaining child safety is the most critical aspect of an au pair's duties. As the first agency to develop a Specialized Infant program, we've been able to fine-tune our curriculum over the years. Over 20 specific topics are addressed during the 5-day program in a hands-on environment that includes a real nursery. Read some of the highlights!

April 22, 2015

AuPairCare Areas Serviced

Find a complete list of the states where AuPairCare offers placements in our regional breakdown and visit links to popular areas supported by AuPairCare. To find out if your home is within our areas serviced, give us a call at 800.428.7247, and we'll confirm that an AuPairCare staff member lives within an hour's drive from you.

January 12, 2015

How to Save Money on Childcare

The average middle-class family will pay almost $300,000 to raise a child over 17 years; that's up $8,000 from last year, and the cost will only grow from there. The bulk of that expense often comes from child care -- but asking relatives to pitch in often leads to uncomfortable tension. Read on for a step-by-step guide to saving on child care costs while keeping your kids safe and your family happy.

November 3, 2013

Get An Au Pair: Learn About The Benefits

Getting an au pair can be a transformative experience for your family by providing both cultural exchange and stellar live-in childcare. Unlike traditional daycares or nanny services, an au pair is an individual who lives with your family and becomes an integral part of your household. This means that they have a vested interest in the well-being and happiness of your children and family.