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 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, boost your personal growth, 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?

An au pair program is a cultural exchange program that gives young adults the opportunity to live with a host family in another country and provide childcare in exchange for room, board, and a weekly stipend. In the United States, the au pair program is regulated by the U.S. Department of State and is designed to combine childcare responsibilities with cultural immersion, education, and personal growth.

In the United States, the au pair program offers a structured way to live abroad while becoming part of an American family’s daily life. Au pairs support children through childcare-related responsibilities while also taking part in cultural exchange, improving their English, and completing an educational requirement during their stay.

What Does an Au Pair Do?

As part of the au pair program, au pairs provide childcare support while living with their host family. Their main role is to help with childcare-related responsibilities and contribute to family life as part of a cultural exchange experience.

An au pair’s day-to-day responsibilities can vary depending on the ages of the children and the needs of the host family, but they typically include:

• Preparing meals and snacks for children
• Helping children get ready for school
• Assisting with homework and bedtime routines
• Playing with children and planning fun activities
• Driving children to school, practices, or outings
• Sharing their language and culture with the family
• Helping with children’s laundry and keeping play areas tidy
• Supporting other childcare-related tasks as needed

In the United States, au pairs may work up to 45 hours per week, with no more than 10 hours per day, in line with U.S. Department of State regulations. They also receive scheduled time off, paid vacation, room and board, a weekly stipend, and support throughout their program year.

The role is designed to be more than just childcare. As an au pair, you become part of your host family’s daily life while gaining practical experience, improving your English, and taking part in a structured cultural exchange program.

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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

An au pair program is about much more than childcare. At its core, it is a cultural exchange experience that gives you the chance to live with a family in another country, take part in their daily life, and share your own culture in return.

As an au pair in the United States, you will experience American life from the inside. That can include celebrating holidays with your host family, trying new foods, exploring local traditions, and improving your English through everyday conversations. Instead of seeing the U.S. as a tourist, you get to experience it as part of a home and community.

Cultural exchange also works both ways. While you are learning about your host family’s lifestyle, they are learning from you too. You may share your language, traditions, favorite recipes, or stories from home, helping the children and family discover a new culture through everyday moments.

This exchange is one of the most rewarding parts of the au pair program. It helps you build meaningful relationships, broaden your perspective, and create memories that stay with you long after your program ends. Along the way, you also have the opportunity to meet other au pairs, explore new places, and grow in confidence through life in a new environment.

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

As part of the au pair program in the United States, au pairs receive a weekly stipend from their host family. This stipend is designed to help cover personal expenses during your stay while you live with your host family and take part in the cultural exchange program.

Because the program includes room and board, au pairs do not need to pay for major living expenses like rent or most meals. That means your weekly stipend can go toward things like travel, shopping, entertainment, classes, or saving for personal goals during your year abroad.

The U.S. Department of State sets a minimum weekly stipend for au pairs, and AuPairCare’s minimum weekly stipend is higher than that required minimum. Some host families and au pairs may also agree to a higher amount, depending on the match and program details.

In addition to your weekly stipend, the program also includes educational support. Host families contribute toward the cost of coursework at an accredited U.S. institution, which is part of the educational component of the program. This gives au pairs the opportunity to continue learning while living in the United States.

For many au pairs, one of the biggest financial advantages of the program is that it combines income, housing, meals, and educational support in one structured experience. That makes it very different from trying to live abroad independently, where rent, food, and other everyday expenses can quickly add up.

Why Choose AuPairCare for Your Au Pair Experience?

Choosing the right au pair program can make a big difference in how supported, prepared, and confident you feel throughout your journey. At AuPairCare, the goal is not only to help you match with a host family, but also to make sure you have the guidance, training, and support you need before departure and during your time in the United States.

With more than 35 years of experience and over 100,000 matches, AuPairCare offers a structured program designed to help au pairs feel ready for life abroad. From the application process to arrival and ongoing support, the program is built to give you a safe and rewarding cultural exchange experience.

AuPairCare supports au pairs through every stage of the journey, including:

• Careful host family screening and matching
• Pre-departure preparation and training
• AuPairCare Connect in New York City
• Local support from an Area Director
• Ongoing guidance throughout your program year
• 24/7 emergency support when needed

One of the biggest advantages of joining a structured program is knowing that you are not managing everything on your own. Instead of trying to figure out housing, childcare expectations, paperwork, and support by yourself, you join a program with clear steps, experienced staff, and resources designed to help you succeed.

For many au pairs, this support is one of the most valuable parts of the experience. It allows you to focus on building relationships, improving your English, learning about American culture, and making the most of your year abroad.

Rigorous Selection Process for Host Families

A strong au pair experience starts with the right host family. That is why AuPairCare carefully screens host families before they join the program. The goal is to help create a safe, supportive, and well-matched environment where both au pairs and host families know what to expect.

Host families in the program must meet specific requirements, including providing a private room, speaking English in the home, following program work-hour rules, and limiting responsibilities to childcare-related tasks. They must also complete a screening process and understand the expectations of the au pair program before being approved.

The host family screening process helps make sure that au pairs are placed with families who are prepared for the responsibilities of cultural exchange and committed to creating a positive experience. It also gives au pairs more confidence as they begin the matching process, knowing that the families they interview with have already been reviewed and approved.

For future au pairs, this level of screening is an important part of what makes a structured program different from trying to arrange a work-abroad experience independently. It adds clarity, consistency, and support from the very beginning.

Exclusive AuPairCare Connect Welcome Orientation in New York City

One of the most exciting parts of starting the AuPairCare program is AuPairCare Connect in New York City. Before joining your host family, you begin your journey with a welcome orientation designed to help you feel more prepared, supported, and confident as you start life in the United States.

This orientation gives you time to adjust, meet other au pairs, and learn more about what to expect during your program year. Instead of arriving in the U.S. and going straight into a new home and routine, you have the chance to begin the experience with guidance, connection, and practical preparation.

During AuPairCare Connect, you can get to know fellow au pairs from around the world, meet members of the AuPairCare team, and take part in sessions that help you feel ready for the transition ahead. Au pairs who attend Connect get to experience New York City with a fun, full-day tour, making your arrival in the U.S. feel even more memorable.

For many au pairs, this welcome orientation is an important part of building confidence before meeting their host family. It helps create a smoother start to the program and gives you the feeling that you are part of a larger community from day one.

Support and Guidance from AuPairCare

A strong au pair experience does not end once you match with a host family. Ongoing support is an important part of the program, and it can make a big difference in how confident, prepared, and comfortable you feel throughout your time in the United States.

At AuPairCare, support begins before you leave home. Once you match with a host family, you receive access to training and preparation materials designed to help you understand your role, get ready for childcare responsibilities, and feel more prepared for the transition ahead.

That support continues after you arrive in the U.S. Following AuPairCare Connect in New York City, you begin life with your host family while also gaining access to a local support network. Your Area Director is there to help you adjust, answer questions, and support you throughout your program year. They can also help you connect with other au pairs in your area and provide guidance as you settle into your new community.

In addition to local support, AuPairCare also offers broader assistance whenever needed. Whether you have questions about your experience, need help navigating challenges, or simply want reassurance as you adjust to life abroad, you are not expected to figure everything out on your own.

For many au pairs, this built-in support is one of the biggest advantages of joining a structured program. It helps create a safer, more stable experience and allows you to focus on building relationships, improving your English, and making the most of your year in the United States.

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 grateful to Aupaircare company because of they give to lot of people hope to access 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 month… 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

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 au pair 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!

How to Apply for AuPairCare’s Au Pair Program

Once you understand how the au pair program works and feel confident that you meet the requirements, the next step is applying. The process is designed to help you move from interest to match in a clear, structured way, with support along the way.

Applying to AuPairCare typically includes a few main stages:

• Completing your online application
• Building your profile
• Interviewing with host families
• Matching with the right host family
• Completing pre-departure training
• Preparing for travel and arrival in the United States

The first step is to complete your application and share information about yourself, your background, and your childcare experience. From there, you create a profile that host families can review as they look for a strong fit for their home and childcare needs.

If a family is interested, you will have the opportunity to interview with them, ask questions, and learn more about their routines, expectations, and family life. Matching is a two-way process, which means both you and the host family should feel confident that the arrangement is the right fit.

Once you match, you move into the preparation stage. This includes completing training, reviewing important program information, and getting ready for travel. If you are joining the U.S. program, you will also prepare for arrival through AuPairCare Connect in New York City before meeting your host family.

Breaking the process into steps makes it easier to understand what comes next and helps you prepare for each stage with more confidence. Rather than figuring everything out on your own, you move through a structured application journey with support from the AuPairCare team.

Start Your Journey With AuPairCare Today!

Joining an au pair program is an opportunity to experience life in a new country, build meaningful relationships, and grow through childcare, cultural exchange, and everyday life in the United States. For many au pairs, it becomes one of the most memorable and rewarding chapters of their lives.

At AuPairCare, the goal is to help you begin that journey with confidence. From your application and host family match to training, arrival, and ongoing support, the program is designed to give you the structure and guidance you need to feel prepared every step of the way.

If you are ready to explore the au pair program, learn more about the requirements, and take the next step toward life in the U.S., AuPairCare is here to help you get started.

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