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.

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Au pairs available in your area

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IsabelleBrazil, 24

2,000+ hrs childcare experience

Loves running and going to the gym

CarlynSouth Africa, 19

Studying to become a family lawyer

Enjoys baking

AnnaGermany, 18

Loves dancing and swimming

Is a tutor and babysitter for local children

BárbaraPortugal, 21

Getting a degree in education

Volunteers at children's support associations

KimberlyBrazil, 21

Enjoys crafts and gardening

Worked as a camp counselor

VictoriaFrance, 18

Cares for siblings

Loves outdoor adventures

PaigeSouth Africa, 20

Works at a daycare center

1,500+ hrs childcare experience

JackelineBrazil, 21

2,000+ hrs childcare experience

Infant qualified

PatrycjaPoland, 22

Works as a nutritionist

Has babysitting experience

ThaisBrazil, 25

Infant qualified

Loves reading and being outside

Find an au pair

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.

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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?

Program fee¹

$11,245

Minimum au pair stipend²

$10,179

Potential additional costs

Varies

Estimated yearly total

$21,424

or approximately $1,785/month

Learn more

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.

FAQs about hosting an au pair in Illinois

Do au pairs cost more in Chicago?

No, Chicago au pair prices are consistent with other parts of the U.S. The estimated annual Illinois au pair cost starts at $21,424, which breaks down to about $1,785 per month. This includes the program fee paid to Cultural Care Au Pair and the weekly stipend you pay directly to your au pair.

Here at Cultural Care Au Pair, the total cost of hosting is calculated by adding the program fee ($11,245) and the minimum weekly stipend ($195.75 per week x 52 weeks), totaling $21,424 per year.

In addition, families should account for expenses like room and board, insurance (if applicable), and up to $500 per year for the au pair’s education requirement.

Despite these costs, many host families searching for an au pair in Chicago find the program to be comparable—or even more affordable—than daycare or nanny options. For many, childcare costs in Chicago make hosting an au pair a smart and flexible solution.

What are the typical responsibilities of an au pair?

An au pair lives with your family and provides childcare based on a schedule you create—up to 10 hours per day and 45 hours per week. In addition to caring for your children, they can assist with child-related tasks like doing laundry, preparing meals, tidying play areas, and driving kids to school and activities. When you host an au pair in Illinois, you’re gaining more than just a caregiver—you’re welcoming a supportive, culturally enriching presence into your home.

What are the eligibility requirements for host families in Illinois?

To host an au pair with Cultural Care Au Pair, Illinois families must:

Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Pass a criminal background check
Provide a private bedroom for their au pair

Families also need to be ready to fully participate in the cultural exchange aspect of the program, getting to know their au pair and sharing their home life. Choosing au pair services in Illinois is a great way to experience meaningful connection and dependable childcare, all while helping someone from another country experience life in the United States. It’s no surprise that top rated au pair agencies like Cultural Care continue to be trusted by families across the state.

How long can au pairs remain in Illinois and can they extend their stay beyond the initial program period?

All au pairs arrive on a J-1 visa and commit to 12 months with their host family. Toward the end of that year, they have the option to extend their stay by 6, 9, or 12 additional months—either with the same family or a new one—if they’ve fulfilled the education requirement and are in good standing with the program.

Whether you’re continuing with your current au pair or welcoming a new au pair to Illinois, this flexibility allows families to enjoy consistent care and deepen their relationship. It also gives au pairs the chance to explore more of the U.S. while continuing their experience with an au pair company Illinois families trust.

How does the matching process work, and how long does it take to find an au pair?

Finding an au pair in Illinois is simple with the Cultural Care app. After registering, you’ll create a family profile and use filters to search for the right match. You can favorite candidates and chat or video call directly through the app. And if you have questions or need help, our team of Matching Specialists is available throughout your search.

The time it takes to find your match is different for every host family. Some families find a great fit right away, while others need more time to find an au pair who meets their needs. This is especially true for families who need au pairs with specialized experience like caring for children with special needs.

One of the best ways to speed up your search is to stay actively involved. The more time and energy you invest, the faster you’ll find the right fit—and the more likely an au pair will say “yes” to joining your family.

As the top rated au pair company in Illinois, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

More FAQs

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.