Host family at wedding with au pair.

Requirements to Host an Au Pair 

Every family is different, but parents are often looking for the same thing: experienced, nurturing childcare they can trust. If you’re wondering what’s required to host an au pair in the U.S., it’s simpler than you might think. Once you meet a few guidelines, you can welcome an au pair into your home — and give your family the support, flexibility, and cultural connection that makes such a difference.

The basic requirements to become a host family are: 


  • Live in one of our U.S. service areas 


  • Provide room and board 


  • Be U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents 


  • Follow the Host Family Agreement

Host an Au Pair
Au Pair in America host family.

Who Can Become a Host Family? 

Interested in becoming a host family? Just as our au pairs come from all over the world, Au Pair in America® host families come from many different backgrounds, including:

  • Single parents 
  • Married couples 
  • LGBTQIA+ families
  • Families who have children with special needs 
  • Families with infants or toddlers 
  • Families with school-aged children 
  • Families with teenagers 
  • Families in urban communities 
  • Families in rural communities 
  • Parents who work at the office or from home 
Become a Host Family
Host family with au pair.

Host Family Orientation

Au Pair in America® offers comprehensive host family support services to guide you throughout your journey. To help you get ready for this experience, first time host families will attend an orientation session conducted by their Community Counselor — an Au Pair in America® representative who lives in your area and assists families like yours. At Orientation, you will:

  • Review important program information 
  • Receive advice and tips for host families 
  • Discover how to prepare for your au pair’s arrival

Au Pair in America® Host Family Testimonials

“With our children in a wide range of ages, we needed the flexibility of having a live in au pair. It allowed us to keep our younger child on a more regular schedule while giving the older children the attention they needed.”

Jennifer, Host Mom in Mendota Heights, MN

“I work freelance and my work hours are never the same. Having an au pair gives me the flexibility to work when I need to. Also, going out, just my husband and me, was a rare event before our au pair arrived. Now it’s a normal thing to do!”

Marissa, Host Mom in Montclair, NJ
Read More Host Family Stories

Host Family Agreement 

The Host Family Agreement outlines the responsibilities and expectations of host families.

  • Limit childcare service to a maximum of 45 hours per week for the Au Pair, Extraordinaire, and Year2 programs and 30 hours per week for the EduCare in America® program. Scheduled hours may not exceed 10 hours per day or extend past five and a half days. At least one day off is to include the Sabbath, if requested. 
  • Pay a weekly stipend based on the program option selected. Click here for details. 
  • Give the au pair one complete weekend off each month (Friday evening to Monday morning) and a minimum of two weeks paid vacation for each 12-month exchange term (prorated for extension periods of 6 months). 
  • Include the au pair in family meals, outings, holidays, and other events. 
  • Provide coverage for the au pair if they are driving your vehicle(s) and list them as an operator on your insurance policy to be fully protected. 
  • Encourage the au pair to return to her home country at the end of their 12-month visa term or, in the event they are authorized to remain for an extension period, at the end of that period. Agree not to support their sponsorship for another visa status before returning to their home country. 
  • Provide the opportunity (and transportation) for the au pair to attend regular monthly “cluster” meetings with the Community Counselor. 
  • Maintain monthly contact with the Community Counselor and participate in an annual host family workshop planned by your Community Counselor. 
  • Have one or both parents or another responsible adult remain home during the first three days after the au pair’s arrival to help train and acclimate them to childcare responsibilities, the home, and the community. 
  • Never leave an au pair in sole charge of a child under three months of age.
  • Sign an agreement with the au pair upon their arrival, outlining the days and hours of childcare services to be provided. 
  • Facilitate your au pair’s enrollment in and attendance at an accredited post-secondary institution to fulfill the Educational Component requirement:
  • Host families on the Au Pair and Extraordinaire programs must cover tuition and book fees up to $500 for a 12-month term, $250 for a 6-month extension, and $500 for a 9-month extension. Host families on the EduCare in America® program cover up to $1,000 for each 12-month term and $500 for a 9-month or 6-month extension.
  • Au Pairs and Extraordinaires must complete a minimum of six hours of academic credit (or its equivalent), with an additional three hours of credit for 6-month extensions, and six additional credits for 9 and 12-month extensions. EduCare in America® au pairs must complete at least 12 hours of academic credit (or its equivalent), with an additional six credits for 6-month extensions, and 12 additional credits for 9 and 12-month extensions. 
  • Host families establish agreeable time frames for class schedules, assist with course registration, and provide transportation to and from classes. 
  • Course selection depends on the au pair’s educational, cultural, and/or career interests. Costs exceeding the host family’s educational stipend will be covered by the au pair.
  • The local Community Counselor will help identify accredited courses and guide the registration process. 

FAQs

Have questions? 

Explore our FAQs for helpful answers.

View All FAQs

Host families must provide their au pair with a private bedroom and three meals a day. They should also be given access to a car and car insurance if driving your children is part of their childcare duties. Additionally, they must have transportation to and from their classes. 

Our program has au pairs arriving in the U.S. during every month of the year, so your family can get an au pair during any season! 

Au pairs can perform a wide range of childcare duties. Their responsibilities may vary depending on the needs of a family. Some childcare responsibilities an au pair can help with include: 

  • Cleaning up the children’s rooms or play areas 
  • Driving the children to and from school or other appointments 
  • Caring for the children when they are sick or home from school 
  • Preparing meals for the children and cleaning up after they eat 
  • Helping children with homework 

Au pairs in the Au Pair, Extraordinaire, and Year2 programs may provide up to 45 hours of childcare service per week and no more than 10 hours in a given day or five and a half days in any given week. EduCare in America au pairs may provide up to 35 hours of childcare service per week. 

While serious issues are rare in the au pair program, most can be resolved. If you are experiencing problems with your au pair, reach out to your Community Counselor. They can help mediate discussions and work with you and your au pair to solve any issues. If there are problems that cannot be resolved, we will issue a full refund or provide you with a new au pair. 

If there is a medical emergency, dial 9-1-1. The Au Pair in America® 24-hour emergency service is available at 1-800-928-7247. Please contact your Community Counselor as soon as possible in case of an emergency.