Frequently Asked Questions

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An au pair comes to the US on a J-1 student visit to live with a family for a year and provide childcare - up to 10 hours a day and 45 hours a week. They are between 18 and 26 years of age. Au pairs have documented childcare experience, an international driver’s license, and speak English (to varying degrees!). They want to become part of an American family, improve their English, and experience our country on their time off.

Au pairs come to the U.S. with sponsor agencies that support you all the way. This program is regulated by the U.S. State Department. I have 27 years experience helping great families find great au pairs. Share your contact info with me and I will follow up with registration instructions. After your application is complete, you will be able to look at au pair applications. You can listen to their English, see their pictures and experience, and give them a call!

• Au pairs must have their own bedroom with a window and a door (fire exit and privacy).
• They can share a bathroom with the family.
• Au pairs are mostly female but male au pairs are available.
• They get two weeks paid vacation during the year.
• They get one full weekend off a month and 1.5 consecutive days off a week, such as Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday.
• If you need them to drive your children, you will pay for the au pair to be on your auto insurance and they will drive your car.
• Au pairs are J-1 students and will need to take six college credits. The family pays up to $500 and the au pair pays the rest. We partner with many universities around the country. No worries here.  The Au Pair Connection will help with  that!

 On rare occasions, things just don’t click. We hope that families will let the au pair stay with them for up to two weeks while we look for a new family for her and hope that the au pair will help the family for up to two weeks while we find a new au pair for the family. No one is “stuck” but we need to work together for everyone.

 Au pairs come to the U.S. to improve their English, experience life in the United States, and see our country. Families host au pairs to have cost effective childcare, a cultural experience for their children, and the ability to change childcare hours.

Our staff will help you with your application, matching, and even after the au pair arrives. We have folks nearby who have monthly meetings like bowling or a potluck so au pairs can make friends with other au pairs in town. You will not be alone!  We have a 24 hour 800 number and experienced staff to advise and help.