Ask an Au Pair Expert
Au Pair Questions, Answered in Under a Minute
Short videos on cost, matching, schedules and safety in the J-1 Au Pair Program.
0:57
Why Do Families Host an Au Pair Again?
Why host families return to the J-1 Au Pair Program year after year: childcare that works, children who gain a language and new perspectives at home, and support through the whole process.
0:58
What Are the Most Common Myths About Hosting an Au Pair?
Three common myths about hosting an au pair, answered: whether you need a big house, whether hosting is only for wealthy families, and how much a host family actually has to manage.
0:55
Can Au Pairs Travel and Make Friends in the USA?
What friendships and travel look like as a J-1 au pair in the USA: a built-in community of au pairs from around the world, plus weekends, holidays and time off to explore the country.
0:54
How Do I Prepare My Home for an Au Pair?
How to prepare your home and children before an au pair arrives: setting up a private bedroom, talking to your kids early, and mapping out household routines before day one.
0:50
How Many Hours Can an Au Pair Work?
How au pair schedules work under Department of State rules: a maximum of 45 hours per week and 10 hours per day, 1.5 days off weekly, one full weekend off each month, and two weeks of paid vacation in the first 12 months.
0:47
What Is It Like Living With an American Host Family?
What living with an American host family is really like as a J-1 au pair: shared meals and traditions, holidays and travel, English that improves naturally, and friendships that outlast the year.
0:56
How Do You Make the First Month Go Smoothly?
Five practical habits that make the first month with a new au pair or host family go smoothly: an upfront house meeting, weekly check-ins, patience through adjustment, and shared expectations.
0:59
Au Pair vs Nanny vs Daycare: What Is the Difference?
Au pair vs nanny vs daycare compared for host families: cost, flexibility, in-home versus group care, and the cultural exchange and program guidelines unique to the J-1 au pair option.
0:57
What Makes a Good Au Pair Match?
What makes an au pair and host family match work: honesty about routines and expectations, compatible parenting and communication styles, and shared values rather than a perfect-looking profile.
0:57
Is My Family Ready for an Au Pair?
Five honest signs a family is ready to host an au pair: consistent childcare needs, a private bedroom, genuine interest in cultural exchange, open communication, and everyone at home on board.
0:49
What Support Do Au Pairs Get in the USA?
The support a J-1 au pair receives in the United States: a dedicated Local Coordinator, a local community of other au pairs, and a program team available when bigger issues come up.
0:59
What Happens in the First Week?
What the first week looks like for au pairs and host families: pre-arrival orientation, walking through house rules and routines together, and why early conversations set up the whole year.
0:46
What Is It Like to Have an Au Pair?
What having an au pair actually looks like on a normal weekday for a host family — mornings, school drop-off, homework and afternoons — and how live-in care fits a real family schedule.
0:54
How Are Au Pairs Screened?
How au pairs are screened before they match with a host family: application review, personal interviews, reference checks, background screening, and documented childcare and English ability.
0:51
What Is Cultural Exchange in the Au Pair Program?
Why host families describe cultural exchange as the part they did not expect: a second language at home, new traditions on both sides, and a relationship that often lasts well beyond the program year.
0:54
Who Can Become an Au Pair in the USA?
Who qualifies for the J-1 Au Pair Program: ages 18 to 26 and under 27 at entry to the US, 600 hours of childcare experience, proficient English, a clean background check, secondary school completed, a driver's licence and the GreatAuPair Training Academy.
0:47
How Much Does It Cost to Host an Au Pair?
What it costs to host an au pair: $1,703 per month for full-time live-in childcare up to 45 hours a week, whatever the number of children. Covers the weekly stipend, education benefit, program fees and room and board.
0:51
How Does Au Pair Matching Work?
How au pair matching works for host families and au pairs: browsing profiles, interviewing each other, and confirming a match only when both sides are confident it fits.
0:50
What Does an Au Pair Do?
What an au pair actually does day to day for a host family — morning routines, school runs, homework, meals and activities — and how live-in childcare differs from a babysitter or nanny.
0:54
How Does the J-1 Au Pair Program Work?
See how the J-1 Au Pair Program works: what a host family provides, what an au pair receives, and how a State Department-designated sponsor supports both sides from matching through the end of the year.
Au Pairs Available Now
A few of the screened, interviewed au pairs ready to be matched. Tap a card to see the full profile.
Calm, Creative Au Pair With Extensive Experience
Yuliya brings over three thousand hours of childcare experience and creative teaching skills, combining calm professionalism with genuine enthusiasm for fostering children's development and memorable experiences.
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Multilingual, Patient Au Pair With Teaching Skills
Nadyusha brings nearly 1,880 hours of childcare experience, fluency in four languages, and genuine patience to support your family's educational and developmental needs.
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Kind-Hearted Caregiver With Toddler Experience
Vita brings 650 hours of dedicated childcare experience and a genuine passion for working with children as a future educator committed to building meaningful family relationships.
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Experienced Childcare Professional With Infants
Tatyana brings 2,800 hours of dedicated childcare experience, including infant care qualification, and fluency in English and Russian to create a nurturing, culturally enriched environment for your family.
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Experienced, Multilingual Au Pair for Infants
Mairam brings over 2,200 hours of dedicated childcare experience, including extensive infant care training, fluent English and Russian communication, and a warm, responsible approach to nurturing children in family settings.
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Patient, Creative Au Pair for Growing Families
Camila brings nearly two thousand hours of childcare experience, a patient and creative approach to working with children, and genuine enthusiasm for fostering their growth and learning in a nurturing environment.
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Positive, Honest Au Pair With Infant Care Experience
Dafne brings over 1,000 hours of dedicated childcare experience, combining patience and creativity to create safe, nurturing environments where children thrive and develop confidence.
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Caring, Reliable Au Pair With Infant Experience
Zhumaiym is a cheerful and reliable caregiver from Kyrgyzstan with nearly three thousand hours of childcare experience, including substantial infant care training, fluent in English and Russian.
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Dedicated Au Pair With Extensive Infant Care
Hazel is a dedicated caregiver from South Africa with over 3,000 hours of early childhood education experience, including extensive infant care, who brings patience, responsibility, and genuine warmth to create nurturing environments where.
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Patient, Fun, And Trustworthy Caregiver
Keneik is a patient and trustworthy caregiver from Jamaica with 1,800 hours of diverse childcare experience, including extensive work with infants and young children of varying ages.
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Kind, Experienced Au Pair for Infants
Zhanel brings 1,800 hours of dedicated childcare experience, including 1,200 hours caring for infants, combined with fluency in English and Russian to create a trustworthy and nurturing environment for your family.
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Patient, Energetic Au Pair Great With Kids
Melany Briggitte brings over 1,680 hours of dedicated childcare experience and a genuine passion for creating safe, engaging environments where children thrive and have fun every day.
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Experienced Childcare Provider With Athletic Energy
Cagri brings 1,674 hours of dedicated childcare experience combined with her background as a physical education teacher and swimming coach, offering families an energetic, responsible caregiver committed to children's safety and positive.
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Gentle, Patient Au Pair With Multilingual Skills
Tammy brings 1,800 hours of dedicated childcare experience combined with genuine patience, cultural curiosity, and fluency in English and Mandarin to create a warm, nurturing environment for your family.
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Friendly, Understanding Au Pair for All Ages
Begayim brings 1,200 hours of dedicated childcare experience and a warm, supportive approach to creating a nurturing environment for your family's children.
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Caring, Patient Au Pair for Infants
Kiara brings over 2,500 hours of dedicated childcare experience, including extensive infant care training, combined with her warm, patient nature and genuine passion for supporting children's growth and happiness.
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Loving, Responsible Au Pair for Infants
Dilnaz brings over 3,000 hours of dedicated childcare experience, including extensive infant care training, combined with her patient, caring nature and genuine enthusiasm for supporting children's learning and development.
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Caring Au Pair Who Connects With Infants
Victoria brings nearly 740 hours of dedicated childcare experience, including extensive infant care, combined with genuine warmth and responsibility developed through years of caring for her cousins across multiple age groups.
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Caring, Patient Au Pair for Infants
Ariatna brings nearly 2,000 hours of dedicated childcare experience, including extensive infant care training, combined with her nurturing big-sister nature and genuine passion for supporting children's growth and learning.
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Caring, Responsible Au Pair with Infant Experience
Melanie brings over 3,000 hours of dedicated childcare experience, including infant care qualification, combined with her patient nature and bilingual English-Spanish fluency to support your family's needs.
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Experienced Au Pair, Patient With Children
Jiaojiao is an experienced Chinese teacher who brings 1,680 hours of thoughtful childcare and a genuine passion for accompanying children's learning and growth.
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Caring, Joyful Au Pair with Extensive Experience
Karina Solange brings 1,370 hours of dedicated childcare experience and fluency in both English and Spanish to create a nurturing, engaging environment for your family.
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Energetic, Nurturing Caregiver for Toddlers
Nazym brings over three thousand hours of dedicated childcare experience and a genuine passion for nurturing children's development through her background as an experienced teacher.
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Reliable, Dedicated Multilingual Au Pair
Onaney is a dedicated and enthusiastic caregiver fluent in English and Spanish who is committed to creating a nurturing, supportive environment and enriching cultural exchange for your family.
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Caring, Patient Au Pair for Infants
Cami brings 1,500 hours of childcare experience, including 1,200 hours with infants, along with fluent English and Spanish skills and a genuine commitment to open communication and becoming a true family member.
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Multilingual Au Pair Fluent in English and German
Tansuluu, a university student from Kyrgyzstan with experience caring for younger siblings, brings enthusiasm, multilingual abilities in English, German, and Russian, and a genuine desire to support your family.
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Pricing
Full-time, live-in childcare for just $1703 per month. No application fee. No domestic airfare fee.
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