Host an au pair in Washington, D.C.

The estimated annual au pair program cost for Washington DC families starts at $21,424, or about $1,785 per month. The total cost of hosting an au pair is calculated by adding the program fee paid to Cultural Care Au Pair ($11,245) and the minimum weekly stipend paid directly to the au pair ($195.75 per week, totaling $10,179 per year). You should also consider additional costs related to room and board, insurance (if applicable), contributions toward your au pair’s Education Requirement (up to $500), and any other “extras” that will help make your au pair’s time in the U.S. more enjoyable. Host families in DC typically find the cost of hosting an au pair to be comparable or even less expensive than daycare or nannies.

Yes! Cultural Care Au Pair services host families in Maryland and Virginia as well as Washington DC. In fact, the DMV area is one of our most vibrant and active communities—home to many hundreds of host families and au pairs, creating a dynamic and supportive environment for cultural exchange.

Au pairs in DC provide childcare on a schedule you decide (up to 10 hours per day, no more than 45 hours per week) and can help with tasks related to childcare, such as laundry, meal preparation, light housekeeping. They can also drive the kids to and from school and activities and help with homework.

To become a Cultural Care host family in Washington DC, you’ll need to meet a few key qualifications and be ready to provide a welcoming environment for your au pair.

Host families must be:

• U.S. citizens or permanent residents

• Native or fluent English speakers

• Willing to provide references, complete a background check (for all adults in the home) and follow U.S. Department of State program regulations

Host families must also provide:

• A private bedroom for the au pair

• Daily meals

• A minimum weekly stipend of $195.75

Families should also be prepared to spend time helping their au pair settle in, get to know them, and experience life as part of an American family.

All au pairs arriving from overseas commit to spending a full year with their host family and travel on a legal J-1 visa that allows them to live and work in the U.S. for that time. Near the end of their first year, au pairs have the option to extend their stay—either with their current host family or a new one—for an additional 6, 9, or 12 months, provided they’ve completed their Education Requirement and remain in good standing with the program.

If you match with an extension au pair looking for a new family, they'll be able to stay with you for the duration of their extension term—so 12, 9 or 6 months—after which they'll return to their home country.

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.

One of the best ways to accelerate 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.

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.