Au pairs have at least 200 hours of experience (usually many more) as babysitters, tutors, kindergarten assistants, camp counselors and sports instructors. All au pairs attend a training program before joining their American host families. They are excited to join an American family and immerse themselves in American culture.
The government regulations Cultural Care Au Pair agrees to follow include: Provide au pairs with a minimum of eight hours of training in child development and child safety (at least four of which deal with infant safety) Provide au pairs with a minimum of 24 hours of child development instruction before being placed in your home (at least four of which must relate to children …
Before you depart to the USA you’ll spend 3 days at our online Training School! Virtual classes at our Training School will kick start your au pair journey—so get ready for world class preparation and a new au pair network! Our Training School is a fun and interactive way to complete your online au pair training and orientation. You will ...
Host families and au pairs are free to discuss and agree to compensation higher than the required stipend minimum of $195.75; 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.
Au pair | Nanny | |
---|---|---|
Relation to family | Au pair The au pair is a temporary family member. | Nanny The nanny is employed by the family. |
Limit your au pair’s working hours to 45 hours per week (no more than 10 hours in one day) Limit your au pair’s household responsibilities to those related to care of the children (including meal preparation, laundry and room clean-up) Grant your au pair 1.5 days off per week, at least 1 full weekend off each month and 2 weeks of paid vacation.
The government regulations Cultural Care Au Pair agrees to follow include: Provide au pairs with a minimum of eight hours of training in child development and child safety (at least four of which deal with infant safety)
The government regulations Cultural Care Au Pair agrees to follow include: 1 Provide au pairs with a minimum of eight hours of training in child development and child safety (at least four of which deal with infant safety) 2 Provide au pairs with a minimum of 24 hours of child development instruction before being placed in your home (at least four of which must relate to children under two years of age) 3 Ensure that each host family be assigned to an LCC who lives within a one-hour drive 4 Require LCCs to conduct an orientation with each host family and au pair within 14 days of an au pair’s arrival 5 Require LCCs to maintain monthly personal contact with host families and host monthly meetings for their au pairs
Provide au pairs with a minimum of 24 hours of child development instruction before being placed in your home (at least four of which must relate to children under two years of age) Ensure that each host family be assigned to an LCC who lives within a one-hour drive.
Arrange for a parent or responsible adult to remain at home with your au pair for the first three days after her arrival. Ensure that another adult is home with your au pair at all times if you have an infant under the age of 3 months.
Require LCCs to maintain monthly personal contact with host families and host monthly meetings for their au pairs
We guarantee that our extensive training and preparation materials will set you up for success as an au pair.
You can become an au pair in 4 easy steps! From applying online to finding the perfect host family, Cultural Care will help you every step of the way.
Get in touch with our local office! Cultural Care staff is dedicated to helping make your dreams a reality.
See our answers to FAQs about our program — from program regulations, to the matching process, to your stay in the USA and more.
Can I travel to the USA as an au pair for 3, 6, or 9 months only? According to the U.S. Department of State's visa requirements, each au pair applicant must stay with their host family for at least 12 months. This regulation applies therefore not only for Cultural Care au pairs, but also for all other agencies.
In the USA, the au pair program is a regulated visa program that restricts the age of an au pair to between 18-26 years old, and comes with specific rules about responsibilities, working hours, and compensation. In contrast, a nanny normally has studied childcare and gained a formal qualification in the subject.
The U.S. State Department’s regulations set forth the minimum amount host families must provide to au pairs, which is currently calculated as 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 of $195.75; 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.
Yes, I ( or my legal guardian) have read and understood how Cultural Care processes my personal data as set out in the Privacy Policy, and agree to Cultural Care's use of my personal data for direct marketing purposes.
Yes. In addition to the minimum 12 months you commit to being an au pair in the USA, you also have the option to extend your stay for 6, 9, or 12 more months. Over 40% of our au pairs choose to take advantage of this great opportunity!
Host parents support au pairs in three ways: 1 Supply up to $500 to pay for appropriate classes. 2 Assist their au pair in finding a class in the community that will fit the family schedule. 3 Provide their au pair with transportation to the class, whether it’s borrowing a car, paying for public transport or rideshare service, or driving the au pair to class.
As part of the Department of State ’s Au Pair Program regulations, au pairs are required to complete at least six semester hours of credit at an accredited post- secondary institution during their program year. This educational requirement provides a fantastic way for you to pursue your educational interests, meet new people, and experience an important aspect of American culture. Your host family will give you $500 towards these classes.
Weekend au pair courses which earn three credits from an accredited university provide you with an opportunity to earn credit quickly. This is especially useful if you are not able complete a longer course due to time constraints.
Each 30 hour class is equal to 3 credits so you’ll probably have to take more than one course.
Working hours. US Government program rules require the Au Pairs to look after the children up to 45 hours per week and not more than 10 hours per day - including babysitting! 45 hours is a lot, so the participant should check with the Host Family when exactly they are needed to take care of the children so they can plan when they can take ...
The Host Family has to pay up to $500 for the course. The agency must ensure all participants complete this educational requirement.
If the Host Family requires additional care beyond what the participant can legally provide, we encourage them to obtain supplemental child care resources or consider getting a full time nanny.
The program regulations require Host Families to allow their new family members 1,5 free days in a week, and at least one weekend off a month.
Sponsors shall provide the au pair participant with child development and child safety instruction, as follows: (1) Prior to placement with the host family, the au pair participant shall receive not less than eight hours of child safety instruction no less than 4 of which shall be infant-related; and.
Department of State Regulations. The au pair program is a U.S. Department of State-regulated cultural exchange program, a part of BridgeUSA exchange visitor programs. Founded in 1989, the Department of State sets forth guidelines that all program participants and au pair agencies are required to follow.
EduCare participants may not provide more than 10 hours of child care per day or more than 30 hours of child care in any one week; (3) Receive a minimum of one and one half days off per week in addition to one complete weekend off each month; and. (4) Receive two weeks of paid vacation. (k) Educational component.
An au pair participating in the EduCare program shall not be placed with a family having pre-school children in the home unless alternative full-time arrangements for the supervision of such pre-school childre are in place;