The young women who apply to become au pairs or companions with our programs represent a variety of social, economic, educational and cultural backgrounds. They hold a common interest in traveling abroad to expand their cultural awareness. Many applicants are students taking a “year out” from their university studies, while others have been employed or are entering the work force. Applicants must demonstrate a desire to care for children and have an appropriate level of child care experience.

Where are they from?

Au Pair in America has the largest global recruitment network, spanning more than 50 countries on six continents.

Candidates are recruited from Eastern and Western Europe, South Africa, the Americas, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East and Asia.

We continually explore other areas for possible recruitment in order to offer host families the most culturally diverse pool of applicants.

Basic Qualifications

All Candidates for the Program...

• are between the ages of 18 and 26.
  
• have at least 200 hours of recent, practical child care experience such as regular babysitting for non-family members or assisting at a local school or youth group and enjoy working with young children. Au pairs who care for children under the age of two will have a minimum of 200 hours of documented infant child care experience and, unless they are qualified Extraordinaire candidates, will be at least 19 years old.
  
• speak English to an acceptable standard.
  
• have earned a secondary school diploma or equivalent. They may have completed some university-level course work.
  
• submit a medical report prior to entering the U.S.
  
• possess a valid driver’s license. In countries where attainable, we request applicants secure an international driver’s license. They may also be required to obtain a license in your state.
  
• have successfully passed a background investigation, which includes verification of schooling, references, psychometric test and a criminal record check (where available within the scope of the laws of a given country).

Au pairs and companions generally have no formal child care training. For au pairs with formal training or two years of fulltime child care experience, refer to our Au Pair Extraordinaire program.

All applicants who meet the program’s minimum requirements complete a four page application detailing occupational history, child care experience, educational achievements, interests, hobbies and other personal information. They write an essay describing life in their home country and reasons for wanting to become an au pair/companion in the United States. Each applicant is also required to submit photographs showing herself with the children in her care, her family and friends.

Accountability

• Au pairs are required to provide a $400 good faith payment to demonstrate, in part, a commitment by the applicant to fulfill her year-long agreement with Au Pair in America.
• Upon successful completion of the program, the au pair receives a $400 completion payment in addition to a return flight.
• If an au pair does not complete her full 12-month commitment, she is not eligible for completion payment or return flight.
• All candidates are carefully screened, and those applicants sent for your review are matched to meet your most important needs. Families have the final responsibility for matching with the most suitable candidate.