Host Family Program Details
Childcare is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. Our screening process, designated, personalized matching experts, and ongoing support are in place at AuPairCare so you’ll have the peace of mind you’ve selected the best childcare option for your family.
Au Pair Requirements and Screening
We recruit au pairs from 40 different countries and are committed to accepting only the most qualified applicants into our program. Over the years, we have developed a comprehensive screening process designed to assess an au pair’s childcare experience, personality, skills, and motivation for becoming an au pair. Our screening process ensures that every au pair is able to provide the best care for your family.
Beyond the core requirements defined by the Department of State, AuPairCare au pairs must meet extensive AuPairCare requirements and are evaluated on their background and suitability for the program.
U.S. Department of State Requirements:
Additional AuPairCare Evaluations:
Host Family Responsibilities
As a Department of State regulated program, AuPairCare follows industry standards for family qualifications. To be eligible to host an au pair, you must be a U.S. Citizen or a legal permanent resident with a Green Card, speak English as the primary language in the home, pass a criminal background check, and be open to a one year au pair program. Each host family must also:
- Provide the au pair with a private bedroom:
comparable room in home with a safe exit (meets building codes), adult size bed and closet - Ensure your au pair works no more than 45 hours per week or 10 hours per day
- Limit the au pair's responsibilities to childcare and light housekeeping as it relates to the children
- Pay the au pair the minimum weekly stipend* and provide an educational allowance up to $500 towards accredited courses
- Provide your au pair with transportation to classes and to monthly au pair meetings
Au Pair Training
All AuPairCare au pairs arrive at your home trained and ready to provide exceptional child care. The au pair you select for your family has hundreds of hours of childcare experience, carefully checked references, and a proven commitment to caring for children. Because safety and quality care are our top priorities, all au pairs receive rigorous training before they come to your home. Our au pair training program is designed to provide au pairs with an introduction to their year in America and to provide practical training and education about childcare and safety topics. Au pairs conduct their Academy training online through interactive courses and webinars, and fly directly to your home airport. All au pairs caring for children under the age of two are required to have a minimum of 200 hours experience with that age group. From pre-departure virtual learning to on-the-job safety reminders, au pairs receive superior teaching and continued reinforcement of their skills while on program.
AuPairCare also offers additional Specialized and Advanced virtual training programs for au pairs. AuPairCare is the only agency that offers advanced online training courses for au pairs based on the unique needs of our host families. Regardless of which learning path you choose for your au pair, you can be sure that they will receive the best training for your family.
The Au Pair Interview and Matching Process
Finding the right au pair for your family is easy with AuPairCare. From recommending au pairs to setting up interviews, we're with you every step of the way.
Family Room
Once you register and apply, you'll gain access to our award-winning database to search for au pairs based on childcare experience, skills, nationality, language, age, driving status and more.
Matching Experts
Our dedicated team plays an active role in helping you find the right au pair, and offers recommendations around your family's specific wants and needs.
Interviewing
When you find an au pair you’re interested in, we’ll help you set up an interview. During these calls, you can share information about your family and learn about an au pair to see if the match will be a good fit.
Mutual Match
After you decide on an au pair and both agree to match, you'll choose an arrival date. We'll take care of the visa paperwork and flights, and help you plan for your au pair's arrival.
*The U.S. Department of State calculation of the minimum weekly stipend is based on the federal minimum wage with a 40% deduction for room and board in exchange for childcare services. AuPairCare minimum weekly stipend is $215 per week which is higher than the U.S. Department of State minimum. This stipend affects AuPairCare participants with a new match or extension that is finalized on or after January 3, 2023. Host families and au pairs are free to agree to a weekly stipend even higher than the $215 per week minimum. The minimum au pair stipend, educational reimbursement, and other options are subject to change based on updates to federal au pair regulations. Host families are obligated to pay the minimum weekly stipend and it cannot be withheld for any reason. Should any change occur, AuPairCare will notify all impacted parties.
Local Program Support
Choosing a live-in au pair is a unique experience, and it’s why AuPairCare is dedicated to supporting you throughout the program. As a host family, you’ll receive guidance and advice from your local Area Director, who lives in your community, and will be there with you every step of the way!
Your Area Director is your first point of contact and will support you in the following ways:
- Meet with you during the Host Family Interview to provide helpful information about hosting an au pair
- Answer your questions before, during and after your au pair’s arrival
- Contact you within 48 hours of your au pair’s arrival to your home
- Conduct an arrival orientation with you and your au pair to ensure a smooth program start
- Maintain monthly contacts with you and your au pair
- Provide your au pair with local information about educational opportunities
- Organize regular au pair activities and outings in your community
- Plan quarterly events for host families in your community
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