In order to become a host family with Cultural Care, families must: 1. Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; 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—meaning they are ready and excited to participate in a cultural exchange and invest time into building a relationship with their au pair.

To be a Cultural Care au pair, a candidate must be between the ages of 18 and 26, complete secondary school or the equivalent education, have experience caring for children, be prepared to commit to at least 12 months abroad and have a valid driver's license. As part of their application, au pairs must submit a doctor-issued health certificate and complete a criminal background check. Au pairs must also be willing to embrace the spirit of the au pair program, meaning they’re ready and excited to share their culture, learn about the U.S. and be part of a mutually beneficial relationship with an American family.

Many people understand the terms “au pair” and “nanny” to mean the same thing, but they are actually quite different. In the U.S., an au pair refers to a young person from overseas who lives with an American family to care for their children and participate in a cultural exchange. They travel on a legal, one-year visa through a designated au pair agency, and their working hours and conditions are regulated by the U.S. Department of State. Au pairs initially commit to a one-year stay but have the opportunity to extend their time in the U.S. for 6, 9 or 12 months. They are excited to immerse themselves in new culture, improve their English and explore the U.S. The term “nanny”, on the other hand, is a more general term that can be used to describe both professionally trained caregivers and those with less formal experience.

The Cultural Care app makes matching with au pairs easy! After signing up and creating your profile, you’ll be able to search for au pairs in the app and use our 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. Once you find a great match, you'll extend an offer to join your family. (Au pairs can initiate a match, too.) And if you have questions or need help along the way, our team of Matching Specialists is available throughout your search.