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EnglishHow Does the AuPairCare Au Pair Program Work?
Updated
AuPairCare is a U.S. au pair agency that matches American host families with international au pairs who provide live-in childcare while participating in a cultural exchange. The program works as a regulated exchange: families apply and are matched with an au pair, the au pair lives with the family and cares for their children, and AuPairCare provides training, screening, and local support throughout the placement. It suits families who want flexible in-home childcare with a cultural dimension, and au pairs who want to spend a year in the U.S. improving their English and gaining career skills.
The Core Arrangement
The au pair program combines two things at once:
- Live-in childcare — the au pair lives with the family and provides flexible childcare in the home.
- Cultural exchange — the au pair experiences American family life, and the family gains exposure to another culture.
AuPairCare describes this as "cultural exchange meets childcare," positioning the au pair as someone who becomes "just like family" rather than a rotating employee.
How the Matching Process Works
Both sides go through an application and matching process:
- Families apply to become a host family and search for an au pair.
- Au pairs apply through the program, confirming they qualify and beginning their journey — AuPairCare notes that au pairs can begin at AuPairCare Connect in NYC.
- Matching connects a family with an international au pair who fits their childcare needs.
- Placement begins once both sides are matched and prepared.
AuPairCare states it is there "every step of the way," covering matching, training, and ongoing support.
What AuPairCare Provides
According to the site, the agency's role includes:
| Support area | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Screening | Background checks for both host families and au pairs |
| Training | Extensive au pair training, including AuPairCare Connect – NYC |
| Local support | Dedicated support in the family's community |
| Regulation | Department of State regulated, BridgeUSA program |
| Track record | Over 37 years and 100,000 placements |
The site also reports that the program is recommended by 96% of customers and is backed by 2,000+ real reviews.
Who It's For
Host families get flexible live-in childcare plus cultural exchange, with the agency handling screening, training, and local support. AuPairCare frames the benefits around convenience, cultural enrichment, and having support nearby.
Au pairs live with an American family, care for their children, improve their English, and gain future career skills. AuPairCare notes au pairs can earn a higher stipend with AuPairCare and start at AuPairCare Connect in NYC.
How It Compares to Other Childcare
AuPairCare explicitly positions the au pair option against alternatives — nanny and daycare — through a dedicated comparison ("Au Pair vs Nanny vs Daycare"). The distinguishing features are the live-in arrangement, the cultural exchange component, and the agency infrastructure (screening, training, local support) that a private nanny arrangement typically doesn't include.
Getting Started
- Families: begin the host family application and search for an au pair.
- Au pairs: check qualification requirements and apply to start the journey.
For specific program requirements, costs, and locations, the site directs users to dedicated pages: Program Requirements, Costs, and Locations & Local Support. Contact options include 800.428.7247 and [email protected].