Au Pair or Nanny: What's the Difference?
Choosing a live-in caregiver for your child
Both nannies and au pairs provide at-home child care, and sometimes people use the terms “au pair” and “nanny” interchangeably. However, there are important differences between the two roles.
A nanny is strictly a domestic employee. An au pair is a participant in a cultural exchange program. While you “hire” a nanny, you “host” an au pair, and welcome her or him as a member of your extended family. Au pairs not only provide quality child care, they offer your family insight into foreign cultures, customs, and languages. Children receive an enriching cultural experience that isn’t always available from a nanny.
Key differences between nannies and au pairs
Nannies:
- Are employees of the family
- Usually adhere to a set schedule
- May live with the family or live out
- Negotiate their compensation with you
- May be from the U.S. or another country
- Generally charge more to care for more children
- May or may not be legal to work in the U.S.
Au Pairs:
- Are part of the extended family
- Provide live-in child care
- Stay with the family for at least a year
- Are foreign-nationals between 18 and 26
- Are a standard rate to care for one or more children
- Are legal to work in the U.S.
- Are young, enthusiastic, and excited about the au pair experience
Learn more about the requirements to be an au pair
Why Choose Au Pair USA?
Au Pair USA is one of the most experienced and respected au pair organizations in the country. Designated by the U.S. Department of State, we pride ourselves on offering superior customer service and support. We work closely with you to ensure that you find your ideal au pair and have an excellent experience with the program. And as a non-profit organization, we keep our costs as low as possible. Learn more about the benefits of Au Pair USA.
Discover Our Payment Plan Option
To help make our child care options even more affordable for your family, Au Pair USA is pleased to provide a convenient payment plan. Instead of paying your program fee all at once, you can divide it into one down payment and 6 monthly installments.
