The au pair program is one of the most well-known cultural exchange childcare programs, matching host families with enthusiastic childcare providers from another country.
Host families enjoy personalized, live-in childcare and the chance to build a meaningful cross-cultural relationship with an international young person excited to live with and learn from their new American family.
What an au pair represents may vary from one host to another, but our host families often share that having an au pair makes childcare less stressful — and that their au pair soon feels like family.
Au pairs can perform a wide range of childcare duties. Their responsibilities depend on the needs of the host family, providing personalized childcare to support every family.
Here are some examples of what an au pair can do:
Au pairs come to the U.S. from all over the world, and Au Pair in America has one of the largest global recruitment networks of any au pair agency! Our trusted international partners help us recruit au pairs from over 60 countries across 5 continents, allowing your family to choose an au pair from a country or region of the world you’re most interested in.
Au Pair in America uses a rigorous multi-tiered application and screening process to ensure each of our au pairs meets our high standards.
A trained interviewer assesses the candidate’s suitability and English proficiency.
All applicants submit at least three references, one of which must be a childcare reference. We verify three references on the phone.
Our team investigates each au pair’s background to ensure they have no criminal record and display good conduct.
Applicants must submit a medical report that verifies their wellness and ability to perform daily childcare duties.
The interviewer administers the Sixteen Personality Factors (16PF) test to better understand the candidate and ensure they are of sound mind and fit for childcare duties. The 16PF test is a globally recognized, highly dependable, and comprehensive measure of 16 personality traits that allow us to describe and predict a person’s behavior in a variety of contexts.
Occasionally families find an au pair through personal connections. If you have found an au pair on your own, you’ll still need to go through a Department of State-designated agency like Au Pair in America. We’re happy to assist with this process!
Once you’ve both applied and been accepted into our program, we’ll confirm the match and arrange their arrival. From pre-match to arrival and beyond, we’re here to help at every step!