Start in just 2 weeks 🌟
"We knew we’d found the right person when our toddler started asking for her before breakfast"
"Within a week, our au pair knew our children’s routines better than we did."
"I was surprised at how naturally our au pair fitted into our family life."
"Having an au pair has made after-school hours far less stressful for everyone."
Personalized matches, verified profiles, and expert support
Free to use
Register for free
one time fee
No Cure, No Pay
/month
Cancel any time
Hosting an au pair in the USA typically costs between $860 p/m. This includes: weekly stipend (set by the U.S. Department of State), room and board, contribution toward an educational course. You will also have additional agency program fees, these can vary on the agency. Host families also cover insurance and flight costs, which are included in the program fee.
Au pairs in the USA may provide childcare (supervision, playtime, helping with homework, school runs, meal preparation for children, light tidying of children’s areas). They cannot do heavy cleaning, yard work, or serve as a housekeeper or personal assistant.
U.S. regulations limit au pairs to a maximum of 45 hours per week and no more than 10 hours per day. They must have at least one full weekend off per month and 1.5 consecutive days off per week. Paid vacation: two weeks per 12-month stay.
Families and au pairs sign an agreement through a U.S. Department of State–designated agency. This contract sets working hours, duties, stipend, education requirement, and vacation.
The U.S. au pair program is regulated by the State Department. Au pairs must be 18–26 years old, speak conversational English, and enter on a J-1 cultural exchange visa through a designated sponsor agency. Families must meet eligibility rules (e.g., providing a private bedroom, being U.S. citizens or legal residents).
Host families must apply through a designated U.S. au pair agency (e.g., Cultural Care, AuPairCare, AuPair in America). Agencies screen au pairs, arrange visas, and provide local support. Families interview and match with their chosen au pair through the agency.
Agencies provide a Local Childcare Consultant (LCC) who supports families and au pairs. If issues arise, open communication is encouraged. If the match fails, agencies allow a rematch period so the au pair or family can switch. Notice periods are usually 2 weeks.
Au pairs are expected to be treated as a family member, not an employee. Families usually include them in meals, trips, and celebrations. Clear house rules, expectations, and regular check-ins help build trust. Cultural exchange (sharing traditions, languages, holidays) is a central goal of the U.S. Program.
At Nina.care, we take great care in selecting au pair candidates who truly fit your family. Our au pairs go through:
✨ A full interview to assess motivation and experience.
✨ English language test
✨ Medical and criminal record checks.
✨ Reference checks from previous host families.
We also save videos from au pair interviews, which you can watch in the au pair’s profile — giving you a clear impression of the candidate before even speaking with them.
Answer 3 quick questions and discover if it’s the smart solution for your family.
After trying daycares and nannies without finding the right match, May’s family discovered the au pair option – and never looked back. It brought them the flexibility, trust, and connection they were searching for.
| Feature | Screened Profiles | Language & Experience tests | Interview Reports & Videos | Contract Template | Receive Profiles in <1 week | Full refund if no match | Personal agent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
|
❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
We’re a community built on trust and real experience.
✨ Family-run by sisters Lyla & Jasmijn
✨ Former Au pairs on our team—understanding both Au pairs and families
✨ Trusted by 800+ families in 2024
✨ 1,000+ Au pair applications weekly
✨ Fun events, certified courses & our in-house Au pair academy
🇸🇪
Request your free brochure now and we’ll send it directly to your email.
