Learn Why Host Families Choose
Au Pair USA

Each year, thousands of families rely on Au Pair USA to solve three of the most important childcare challenges: quality, convenience, and cost.

Quality

  • Pre-screened, trained au pairs. Au Pair USA thoroughly screens and interviews all of our au pairs before accepting them into our program. Before joining your family, your au pair must complete our mandatory Orientation and Training Program, which includes: American Red Cross Basic First Aid, CPR, Health and Safety Training and Child Development and Cross-Cultural Awareness Training.
  • Personalized attention. In many daycare settings, there’s a higher ratio of provider to children. With an au pair, your child (or children) have the constant attention and supervision of one care provider.
  • Close parent/caregiver relationship. Because your au pair lives with you, you can monitor her or his interaction with your children and impart your parenting style. You can also foster an open dialogue with your au pair about childcare techniques.
  • Cultural component. Au pairs come from more than 40 countries worldwide, providing your children with a unique perspective on the world. Children develop a greater understanding of the world around them, establishing a bond with their caregiver that typically lasts well beyond the au pair’s stay with your family.

Convenience

  • Live-in childcare. You can’t find a more convenient location than your own home. Hosting an au pair eliminates the stress of adhering to strict daycare drop-off and pick-up times.  
  • Flexible hours. You have the freedom to work out a schedule that meets your childcare needs. Your au pair can provide up to 10 hours of care per day or 45 hours per week, so you can schedule around special circumstances—like a late meeting at work, or a date night with your spouse. Just be sure to communicate with your au pair about your scheduling needs.
  • Reliable care. Many daycare settings require you to keep your child at home if he or she is sick. Or they may close for inclement weather or holidays. With an au pair, you don’t need to make contingency plans for these situations.
  • Custom matching: We help ease your selection process by pre-screening applicants and having you review only candidates who appear to be a good fit for your family. Our exclusive choice matching process ensures that only one family reviews an au pair’s profile. You won’t have to compete with other host families when calling and interviewing an au pair.

Cost

  • Affordable rates. As a non-profit au pair agency, we offer one of the most affordable childcare options available to American families. The average cost of full-time, out-of-home daycare for an infant or toddler ranges up to $15,895[1]. Our non-profit program offers very competitive rates, along with the convenience of flexible, full-time, live-in care.
  • Flexible payment plans. Choose the payment schedule that works for you. Pay your program fees in two lump payments, or divide the cost into six payments over the course of the year.
  • No cost increase for more than one child. Unlike daycare centers, in-home providers, and nannies, the Au Pair USA program costs the same whether you have one or more children. This makes our program a highly cost-effective solution for families with several children.

How much does it cost to host an au pair?

What are the requirements to be an au pair? 

What are the employer responsibilities of host families?

[1] 2009 Childcare in America Fact Sheet, NACCRRA, the National Association of Childcare Resource & Referral Agencies