Au pair and infant on a train.

Au Pair in America Program Options

Many families choose Au Pair in America thanks to the flexibility of our trusted au pair program options. Instead of a one-size-fits-all model, you can choose a program that fits your family’s unique needs.

No matter your family’s makeup or your childcare preferences, there’s an option designed to support you — and bring enriching, meaningful cultural connection into your home. 

Program Options to Fit Your Family

  • Au Pair

    Our flagship program and most popular option for families in need of intercultural, live-in childcare.

  • Extraordinaire

    Au pairs who have formal educational degrees or 2+ years of full-time childcare experience.

  • EduCare in America

    An excellent choice for parents with school-aged children.

  • Year2 Au Pairs

    In-country au pairs who have completed a 12-month au pair placement in the U.S.

View Program Options
Au pair helping host child with homework.

Au Pair Program

Our flagship program; ideal for most host families. 

  • The most popular au pair program choice 
  • Flexible, reliable, and enriching live-in childcare 
  • Up to 45 hours of childcare assistance per week 
View Available Au Pairs

Au pairs provide personalized and dependable live-in childcare for infants, toddlers, and school-aged children. 

To be eligible for our programs, au pairs must meet the following requirements: 

  • Between the ages of 18 and 26 
  • Have at least 200 hours of recent, non-family, practical childcare experience 
  • Au pairs who care for children under the age of two have a minimum of 200 hours of documented experience with children in that age group 
  • Possess a valid driver’s license 
  • Secondary school graduate or equivalent 
  • Demonstrate English proficiency 
  • Have passed a criminal record and background check (in countries where this is lawful), which verifies their schooling, references, and psychiatric health 
  • Have no spouse or dependents 
  • Have submitted a medical report that verifies their physical health 
Au pair and children playing in backyard.

Educare in America Program

Popular for families with school-aged children

  • Preferred option for mainly before- and after-school childcare 
  • Our most cost-effective option 
  • Up to 30 hours of childcare assistance per week 
  • Only available in select U.S. communities 
View Available Au Pairs

EduCare in America au pairs must fulfill the standard Au Pair program requirements. This program option is only offered in select areas of the following states. Contact our team to confirm if the EduCare in America program is offered in your area. 

• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Maryland		• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio		• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Texas
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Wisconsin
Extraordinaire au pair with host children.

Extraordinaire Program

Au pair childcare that goes above and beyond

  • Au pairs with formal educational degrees or 2+ years of full-time childcare experience
  • Flexible, reliable, and more experienced live-in childcare
  • Up to 45 hours of childcare assistance per week 
  • Limited availability — apply early! 
View Available Au Pairs

In addition to standard requirements to be an au pair, Extraordinaire candidates must have completed a full-time, two-year academic course in childcare, OR be at least 20 years old and have two years of full-time experience as a nanny, childcare provider, or nursery school teacher. Details of formal childcare degrees are provided to host families during the placement process and are summarized below. 

These special au pairs are extremely limited, so apply early to avoid disappointment. If interested, check the Au Pair Extraordinaire box on the host family application.

View training by country for Extraordinaire au pairs
au pair with host children in front of flowers

Year2 Au Pairs

Experienced au pairs looking for their second program placement in the U.S.

  • Au pairs who have completed a previous 12-month au pair placement 
  • Flexible, reliable, and nurturing au pairs with recent live-in childcare experience 
  • Up to 45 hours of childcare assistance per week 
View Available Au Pairs

Au pairs may extend their stay to remain an additional 6, 9, or 12 months after their first year. Some elect to be placed with a different host family during the extension term. 

If a host family chooses to match with a Year2 au pair, they will benefit from their previous live-in childcare experience. Additionally, Year2 au pairs are already in-country and may be able to join your family faster. However, the number of Year2 au pairs is limited, so apply soon. 

Hear from Our Host Families

See what real families say about our programs:

“Our child has one-on-one care that would not be available with other childcare options. This attention has enabled him to learn at a faster rate than we believe he would otherwise. Bottom-line, he is happy, loves his au pair, and we love her.”

Jill, Host Mom in Nashville, TN 

“We have a child with special needs and two other children. An au pair allows us to give each child the attention she needs.”

Ann, Host Mom in Wilmington, DE

“As my daughters have grown older, my childcare situation changed and the flexibility has been great. The help with stuff pertaining to the children takes a lot of pressure off of me. The fact that I am not rushing around when a change comes up (i.e. school closing, sick child) lifts a lot off my shoulders.”

Michelle, Host Mom in Weymouth, MA
Read More Host Family Stories

FAQs

Have questions? 

Explore our FAQs for helpful answers.

View All FAQs

Au pairs coming to the U.S. must meet the following requirements: 

  • Between the ages of 18 and 26 
  • Have at least 200 hours of recent, non-family, practical childcare experience 
  • Au pairs who care for children under the age of two have a minimum of 200 hours of documented experience with children under the age of two 
  • Possess a driver’s license 
  • Are a secondary school graduate or equivalent 
  • Demonstrate English proficiency 
  • Have passed a background check, which verifies their schooling, references, psychometric test, and a criminal record check (in countries where such measures are lawful) 
  • Have no spouse or dependents 
  • Have submitted a medical report that verifies their physical health 
  • Earn at least six credits at an American institution during their program in the U.S. 

Your au pair program choice should depend on your childcare needs. While most families will find the standard Au Pair program suitable, families that want more experienced childcare experts may choose the Year2 or Extraordinaire programs. Additionally, if you require part-time childcare coverage before or after school (and live within one of the eligible communities), the EduCare in America program may be best. Still not sure which au pair program is best for your family? Our staff is happy to help! Email us at info@aupairinamerica.com or call (800) 928-7247. 

Yes! Au pairs can be extremely helpful to families who have children with special needs. Children with special needs often show signs of improvement and greater happiness with the personalized attention and companionship of an au pair caregiver. Au Pair in America can help you find a great match with an au pair interested in caring for children with special needs and those with prior special needs experience. 

Yes! Au pairs may take care of school-aged children up to 18 years old. Au pairs can help with school drop-offs and pick-ups, after school activities, homework support, and getting ready for school in the morning. 

Yes! Many people choose an au pair for infant and toddler childcare. However, they cannot be the sole caretaker of an infant under the age of three months old. 

Au pairs can stay in the U.S. for up to 12 months on a J-1 visa. However, they may be eligible to extend their program for an additional 6, 9, or 12 months. 

Au pairs in the Au Pair, Extraordinaire, and Year2 programs may provide childcare up to 45 hours per week. Au pairs in the EduCare in America program may provide childcare for up to 30 hours per week. Au pairs are required to have at least one full weekend off every month and two weeks of paid vacation for a 12-month period (prorated for 6-month programs). 

While the programs themselves are not customizable, one of the benefits to hosting an au pair is that they offer childcare assistance customized to your schedule (within reason). So if you require coverage outside of traditional childcare hours, an au pair can help!