You might assume that hosting an au pair means providing them with luxuries like their own bathroom, car, or personal electronics.

In reality, au pairs do require a private bedroom, access to transportation, and a cell phone but other extras are nice—but not always required.

Let’s explore what an au pair needs for a successful stay in your home.

The requirements

The U.S. Department of State requires that an au pair has their own private bedroom with a door for privacy. Au pairs are also entitled to up to $500 for educational expenses and transportation to and from their classes, which can be covered by the family car or public transit fares.

However, the most important aspect of hosting an au pair is providing them with care and respect. This goes far beyond material comforts. Curious about what else is involved? Here’s what some of our program participants have shared about the essentials and beyond.

Bathroom

While having a private bathroom for an au pair is a nice touch, many au pairs share a bathroom with the kids or the entire family. If you have an extra bathroom available, it’s a great perk, but not a requirement.

Car

Depending on your location and schedule, your au pair may or may not need a car. For example, if you live in an area with good public transportation, your au pair might not require a vehicle for their duties or personal activities. However, if driving is necessary for childcare responsibilities or to attend classes and meetings, you'll need to provide a car. It doesn’t have to be a fancy vehicle, and sharing with host parents is quite common.

Cell phone

Do you need to provide your au pair with a cell phone? Yes, because you'll need a way to communicate with them. But host families have come up with many different ways to keep costs down and accountability in check. 

For example, you can combine your family’s cell phone plan with your au pair’s, adding the extra cost for about $10–$20 per month. Another approach could be a pay-as-you-go plan, where a set amount is added to the account each month, and the au pair covers any additional expenses.

Some families prefer that au pairs arrange their own phone plans, compensating them with other benefits like a Netflix subscription. The key takeaway is this: while au pairs do need cell phones, they don’t require high-end devices or expensive plans.

Computer

An au pair doesn’t need their own computer, as sharing with host families is quite common. However, having an extra computer available for their use can be helpful. It allows them to stay connected with friends and family, attend online classes, complete schoolwork, explore travel opportunities, and enjoy streaming content in their downtime. If having their own computer is important to them, they will likely bring one when they arrive.

It’s a good idea to discuss these details before your au pair arrives so both parties understand what to expect and what will be provided.