What Is Cultural Care Au Pair?

Cultural Care Au Pair is a U.S. au pair agency that matches young adults from other countries with American host families for live-in childcare. It has operated since 1989 and describes itself as the world's leading au pair agency, with au pairs from 30+ countries. The service fits families who want flexible in-home childcare (up to 45 hours per week) combined with a cultural exchange arrangement, and who are prepared for the program fees — the site lists an average cost of $1,785 per month, with program fees starting at that figure.

What an au pair is — and what the program involves

An au pair is a young adult from another country who comes to the U.S. on a J-1 cultural exchange visa, lives with a host family, and provides childcare. The program is regulated by the U.S. Department of State, with requirements intended to support a safe experience for both au pairs and families.

In practical terms, the arrangement is a trade: the au pair provides flexible, in-home care on a schedule the host family sets, and in return experiences American life while sharing their own culture. The site gives examples of duties: kids' meals and laundry, school drop-offs and pick-ups, activities, and weekend and evening availability.

What Cultural Care provides

The agency's role goes beyond the initial match. According to its site, Cultural Care offers:

• Matching — connecting families with au pairs from its pool (the site cites 175K+ au pairs matched and the "largest selection" from 30+ countries).
• Guidance through the process — support in becoming a host family and choosing an au pair.
• Local events — organized activities as part of the cultural exchange.
• Ongoing support — described as "personalized, dedicated support every step of the way."

The site also lets families browse au pair profiles by home country, with sample profiles showing age, childcare hours, and special experience (for example, special needs experience or competitive skiing).

How it compares with a nanny or daycare

Cultural Care frames hosting an au pair as a consistent, flexible, and affordable alternative. Its comparison highlights:

The "varies" entries are the site's own framing — nanny and daycare costs depend heavily on location and provider, so treat the table as a positioning claim rather than a like-for-like price comparison.

Who this suits — and what to check first

Hosting through Cultural Care is a reasonable fit if you need flexible hours (up to 45/week), want live-in help with school runs and daily routines, and are interested in the cultural exchange side. Before committing, confirm the current program fees and payment schedule on the pricing page, check the J-1 program requirements that apply to your household, and think through the live-in dimension — an au pair joins your home as "part of the family," which is a different arrangement from employing a nanny who lives elsewhere.