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Save $1,000 when you match with your first au pair by April 30*
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Alessia
Baking buddy
Playground powerhouse
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Meet the childcare solution that fits your Illinois realities
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Agos
Morning motivator
Ponytail pro
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Clara
Confidence builder
Storytime specialist
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Patrycja
Pickup point person
Homework helper
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Issy
Nap whisperer
Curiosity booster
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Ana
Confidante
Best friend
Why Illinoins families love hosting
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Childcare that fits your schedule
Set your own care schedule with up to 45 hours of care per week, whether you need coverage for early morning Metra commutes, rotating hospital shifts, late client dinners in the Loop, or weekend flexibility when daycare is closed. Reliable childcare that gets how Illinois professionals actually work.
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Smart value for Illinois families
When Chicago daycare costs up to $2,800 per month per infant—among the highest in the nation—and North Shore nannies cost $28–32 per hour* (plus commute issues), hosting an au pair offers real value. Get full-time, flexible, live-in childcare for all your kids at a fraction of what you'd pay for daycare, nannies, or patchwork coverage. Especially when you've got multiple kids and a schedule that's outside the 9-to-5 box.
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An extra driver for suburban logistics
I-290 parking lot at rush hour. Three kids at three different schools across the North Shore. The impossible choice between who leaves work early for 3 PM pickup in Arlington Heights when you're both stuck downtown. An au pair helps you balance it all—handling school runs from Wilmette to Winnetka, and all the kid logistics that make Illinois parenting feel like a full-time commute.
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Raising globally minded kids
Your au pair brings authentic cultural experiences into your home, sharing traditions and language from their home country and expanding your family's worldview while you introduce them to American life. It's the kind of global perspective Illinois families value—helping kids thrive in America’s heartland.
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886
Au pairs in Illinois
$43,513
Average annual cost of a nanny in Illinois
$21,424
Average annual cost of an au pair in Illinois3
Save $1,000 off your program fee when you match by April 30, 2026!
*To qualify, families must be new to Cultural Care Au Pair, reside in Illinois, match with an au pair by April 30, 2026, and must host for a term of at least 26 weeks. Discount cannot be combined with other offers and cannot be applied retroactively.
Au Pairs Unpacked: Real stories from real host parents
Hear what it’s like to host from the families who've done it.
Hear from our host families
She is more than an au pair; she is a constant, loving presence.
From the moment Giorgia walked through our front door, my husband and I felt an immediate sense of relief—something that is hard to put into words unless you’ve truly needed it. Giorgia entered our home with such calm, warmth, and grace. She is so deeply special and integral to their lives. She is more than an au pair; she is a constant, loving presence who has helped shape their world during some of their most formative years. Giorgia is kind, nurturing, and endlessly deserving. She never complains and gives from her heart without expectation.
Liz, host mom in Illinois
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We knew Maru was special when we first met, but we didn’t know she was the family we didn’t know we were missing.
Ever since Manu's arrival our family has been enriched in every aspect, as her creativity and compassion shine through in everything that she does. Maternity leave this time around also feels different with Maru here and we will forever be grateful. Our neighbors and extended family frequently comment on how incredible her instincts are and how warm she is. As a result, we are so thankful she is spending her second year with us.
Lindsay, host mom in Illinois
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Leticia’s presence has transformed our household into a harmonious, loving, and well-organized home.
In just a short time, Leticia has become an irreplaceable part of our household and a cherished presence in our children’s lives. She has been consistently helpful around the house, taking on daily tasks with a positive attitude and a level of maturity far beyond her years. Whether she’s helping with homework, driving to activities, or sharing a moment of laughter at home, Leticia brings an energy that enriches our family life in countless ways.
Christine and Michael, host family in Illinois
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Gabrielle is always the friend to solve a problem or cheer someone up
Gabrielle is truly special. She models an example to our children of what we aspire them to become: tremendous work ethic, integrity, maturity, ambition, and most importantly a heart of gold and sense of service to others. In addition to taking care of our family, Gabrielle is a leader within the au pair group. She has supported her fellow au pairs who have been in challenging situations, always the friend to solve a problem or cheer someone up.
Lindsey, host mom in Illinois
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Get started today
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What our customers are saying
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¹Monthly minimum average cost to host an au pair, regardless of the number of children the au pair cares for. This cost includes the agency fees and the minimum weekly stipend paid directly to the au pair for 52 weeks, including 2 weeks of paid vacation. Does not include incidental costs of hosting an au pair, such as meals, insurance, and other amenities. Read more about our au pair program pricing.
²Based on an average hourly rate of $18 per hour for 45 hours per week of care for 50 weeks.
³Range is based on the average monthly cost of daycare from the 2018 and 2023 state-level estimates of National Database of Childcare Prices for an infant and a toddler.