APPLY—join thousands of families who benefit from our experience

First, select the program that best suits the needs of your family. For families with children of all ages, our standard Au Pair in America and Au Pair Extraordinaire programs provide up to 45 hours of weekly child care to families. Our new EduCare program, currently offered in select communities, provides up to 30 hours of child care for families with children attending school full time.

Next, submit your application to Au Pair in America's Connecticut office.

Potential host families are personally interviewed by a local Community Counselor. Families who join our program must:

• live in one of the 165 "cluster" areas in the United States serviced by a Community Counselor
• provide an appropriate private room and three meals a day for the au pair
• be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents fluent in spoken English
• adhere to the program's Host Family Agreement, which specifies that the host family:
  • limit child care to a maximum of 45 hours per week if participating in the standard au pair or Extraordinaire programs; 30 hours per week for the EduCare program. The scheduled hours may not exceed 10 hours per day or extend over more than five and a half days. At least one day off is to include the Sabbath if requested.
  • pay a weekly minimum stipend: $157.95 for the standard au pair program; $200 for Extraordinaire; $118.46 for EduCare. The weekly stipend increases for au pairs participating during their extension period to $165 for the standard program; $225 for Extraordinaire; $130 for EduCare. Refer to the program support and policies document with this brochure for conditions that would change the minimum stipend amount.
  • give the au pair/companion one complete weekend off each month (Friday evening to Monday morning)
  • facilitate your care provider's requirement to enroll in and attend an accredited post-secondary institution during the au pair’s first 12-month term for not less than 6 hours (standard au pair or Extraordinaire programs) or 12 hours (EduCare program) of academic credit or its equivalent. During the extension term the au pair is expected to continue her course studies, the minimum hours of academic credit to be prorated for extensions of stay less than 12 months. Provide up to $500 per year (standard au pair or Extraordinaire programs); $1,000 per year (EduCare program) to cover tuition, materials, fees and an equivalent or prorated part for the extension term. In addition, provide transportation and time to attend classes. Click for: Educational component requirement.
  • provide a minimum of two weeks paid vacation for each 12 month exchange term (prorated for extension periods of 6 or 9 months), in addition to regular weekly/monthly time off.
  • include the au pair/companion whenever possible in family meals, outings, holidays and other events
  • provide one-way transportation from orientation to the host family’s home
  • provide automobile coverage for the au pair/companion if she is driving your vehicle(s) and list her as an operator on your insurance policy to be fully protected
  • encourage the au pair/companion to return to her home country at the end of her 12-month visa term or, in the event she is authorized to remain for an extension period, at the conclusion of that period. Agree not to support her sponsorship for another visa status before her return to her home country
  • provide the opportunity (and transportation) for the au pair/companion to attend regular monthly “cluster” meetings with the Community Counselor
  • participate in an annual host family workshop planned by your Community Counselor
  • maintain monthly contact with the Community Counselor
  • have one or both parents or other responsible adult remain home during the first three days after the au pair or companion’s arrival to help train and acclimate her to child care responsibilities, the home and community
  • never leave an au pair in sole charge of a child under three months of age
  • sign an agreement with the au pair/companion upon her arrival which outlines days and hours of child care services to be provided.