Find an au pair in California

No matter where you live in California, the cost of hosting an au pair is the same. On average, the annual cost starts at $21,424, which breaks down to about $1,785 per month. This includes the program fee paid to Cultural Care ($11,245) and the minimum weekly stipend paid directly to your au pair ($195.75/week, or $10,179/year).

In addition to these costs, you’ll want to budget for room and board, insurance (if applicable), up to $500 toward your au pair’s Education Requirement, and other optional extras—like travel, outings, or local experiences—to help them feel at home.

For many families, especially in high-cost areas, au pair childcare is not only a flexible and enriching option, but often more affordable than daycare or a full-time nanny.

An au pair lives with your family and helps care for your children. They provide up to 10 hours per day of childcare (no more than 45 hours per week) and can help with tasks related to the children such as the kids' laundry, meal preparation, and room pick-up. Au pairs can also drive children to and from school and other activities, help with homework and help with morning and bedtime routines.

Au pairs can provide childcare for up to 45 hours per week and no more than 10 hours per day—these limits are set by the U.S. Department of State and must be followed. Families cannot ask au pairs to work extra hours, whether paid or unpaid, so if your family needs coverage beyond those 45 hours, we recommend supplementing with a babysitter, daycare, or other local childcare options.

In order to become a Cultural Care host family in California, families must:

1. Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents

2. Pass a criminal background check

3. Provide a private bedroom for their au pair

In addition, families must be willing to embrace the spirit of the au pair program, which involves actively participating in a cultural exchange and investing time in building a meaningful relationship with their au pair. Opting for au pair services allows families to enjoy flexible childcare while fostering a unique bond and gaining a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity.

Au pairs arrive on a legal J-1 visa, which allows them to live in the U.S. with their host family for one year. At the end of their year, au pairs do have the option to extend their program for an additional 6, 9, or 12 months, either with the same family or a different family. To be eligible, however, they must complete their education requirement at least 35 days before their last day of their first year and remain in good standing with Cultural Care Au Pair.

Finding an au pair is simple and convenient with the Cultural Care app. Once you register in the app and create a profile, you can search for au pairs using filters to narrow down your search. You can favorite the candidates you like best and start a chat or video call right through the app. It usually takes 2-3 calls to determine that a candidate is the right fit, and at that point, you can extend an offer to join your family. And if you have questions or need help along the way, our team of Matching Specialists is available throughout your search.

The time it takes to find a match is different for every host family. Sometimes families find their au pair after just a few days or a week, and for some families, it might take longer. Families looking for au pairs with specialized experience—like caring for children with special needs—may need a bit more time to find the right match.

Staying actively involved in the process is recommended if you need an au pair quickly, because the more time and energy you invest, the faster you’ll find the right fit.