Yes, all au pairs participating in the Cultural Care Au Pair program must demonstrate conversational English proficiency before being accepted into the program. This is a requirement of the U.S. Department of State's J-1 visa program, which governs au pair exchanges.
Au pairs complete an English language assessment during the application process, and many have studied English for years in their home countries. While English proficiency levels vary—some au pairs are fluent while others are still developing their skills—all can communicate effectively about daily childcare needs, safety concerns, and household routines.
Living with a North Carolina family actually helps au pairs improve their English rapidly. Daily conversations, interactions with your children, and immersion in American culture accelerate language learning. Many host families find that their au pair's English improves significantly during their stay, which benefits both the au pair's educational goals and your family's communication.
If English proficiency is particularly important for your family—perhaps you have older children who need homework help or you want someone who can engage in complex conversations—you can specify this preference when matching with au pairs. Cultural Care allows you to conduct video interviews which will help you assess language skills before making your decision.