Find an au pair in Illinois

Enjoy flexible, personalized childcare that fits your family’s routine with one of the best au pair programs in Illinois. From helping with meals, laundry, and school drop-offs to sharing their language and culture, au pairs bring care and connection into your home.

Why choose us as your au pair program in Illinois?

Representing 30+ countries

Cultural Care au pairs hail from over 30 countries around the world such as Central and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa—bringing diverse perspectives into your home.

Multi-step screening

Cultural Care au pairs undergo a multi-step screening in their home countries. This includes an interview, English assessment, reference check, and criminal background check.

Training and preparation

Before they travel to the USA, Cultural Care au pairs attend 32 hours of instructor-led training, including a CPR and First Aid course provided by the American Heart Association.

Real stories from Chicago & Illinois families

“Our au pair Grace has demonstrated such maturity and grace with our children.

She effortlessly cares for our four young kids. Each child has different emotional and physical needs and Kirsten easily incorporates those into her personalized style of caring. The kids gravitate to her kindness an also her confidence and predictable boundaries. She has taught them about the importance of having a positive mindset, lots of gratitude, and what it means to be a family.”

Alyce, host mom in Chicago, Illinois

How much does an au pair cost in Illinois?

Annual program fee1

$11,245

Paid to Cultural Care. Based on a 52 week program.

Minimum weekly au pair stipend2

$195.75

Paid directly to your au pair.

886

Au pairs in Illinois

$43,680

Average annual cost of a nanny in Illinois3

$21,424

Average annual cost of an au pair in Illinois

Your guide to finding the right au pair match

Step 1: Create your profile and start your search

Download our app and use the filters to find au pairs whose experience and availability fit your family’s needs.

Step 2: Interview au pairs

Chat with au pair candidates to get to know them better and find someone whose personality and values align with your family's lifestyle.

Step 3: Confirm your match and prepare for arrival

Finalize your match in the app and get ready for your au pair to arrive in Illinois with the help of our Host Family Preparation team.

Step 4: Welcome your au pair to Illinois

Extend a warm Illinois welcome to your new au pair! Enjoy flexible, personalized childcare and an enriching cultural exchange experience.

Support for Chicago & Illinois host families

Our local representatives in Chicago and Illinois—along with our dedicated Cultural Care office staff—are here to support you every step of the way.

Au pair life in Illinois

Kid-friendly activities in Illinois

An au pair can take your kids to climb a three-story schooner and dig for dinosaur bones at Chicago Children's Museum, walk through a Caribbean reef tunnel at Shedd Aquarium, or explore interactive exhibits and planetarium shows at Adler Planetarium.

Holidays and traditions in Illinois

Experience the Chicago Air and Water Show with your au pair, celebrate Taste of Chicago festival together, or join Bud Billiken Parade traditions as a family.

Au pair fun in Illinois

Au pairs are thrilled to take architectural boat tours through Chicago's stunning skyline, catch live music in legendary venues, and start an epic Route 66 road trip adventure.

FAQs about hosting an au pair in Illinois

Any questions? Talk to us directly

1-800-333-6056

1Au pairs pay a smaller program fee to the foreign company that screens them, but no portion of that fee is used to pay for the costs of their international airfare or domestic U.S. transportation. Au pairs may be charged additional fees in the event of special travel requests.

2The U.S. Department of State has determined that au pairs are required to receive from their host families at least $195.75 per week. Host families and au pairs are free to discuss and agree to compensation higher than the required stipend minimum; however, this cannot be in exchange for the au pair exceeding the regulatory limits on working hours (10 hours per day; 45 hours per week) or performing duties beyond childcare-related tasks. The State Department formula is based on the federal minimum wage and applicable room and board credits. Any change in the federal minimum wage or the applicable credits will result in an increase in this minimum stipend amount. Please note, should a family extend beyond the first year, they would be responsible for the stipend for each week of the extension term.

3Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA), 2024 report, Care.com – Average Nanny Salary by State, ZipRecruiter – Nanny Salaries by State, Care.com – Cost of Care Report (2025), Care.com – Local Cost Pages (e.g., DC, Atlanta), U.S. State Department + Au Pair Agencies, BridgeUSA - 2024 new au pair exchange visitors.