Michele & David Chazen

Cultural Care Au Pair:

has 20 years of experience in intercultural childcare
has a dedicated worldwide staff on-call 24 hours a day
provides local support for both au pairs and host families
is U.S. government designated and regulated
All Cultural Care au pairs:

participate in a careful screening and selection process
are 18-26 years old
are proficient in conversational English
enjoy children and have previous childcare experience
A Cultural Care au pair can:

provide flexible, in-home care and personalized child supervision
arrange weekly working hours to suit your family’s scheduling needs
assist you with light household duties such as preparing your children’s meals and helping them to keep their rooms neat
oversee and enrich your children’s playtime with international games, stories and activities
drive your children to and from school, to appointments and on outings and errands
supervise your older children during their after school hours and summer breaks
introduce your family to another language
teach your children international customs and traditions
become a lifelong friend to your family
All Cultural Care Au Pair host families:

require up to 45 hours per week of childcare
are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
are able to provide a private bedroom for the au pair
have a sincere interest in cultural exchange
A successful exchange year begins with the right match between a qualified au pair and a welcoming host family. In order to participate, a family must be:

Committed to cultural exchange
Both parents must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
The parent(s) or guardian(s) of children requiring up to 45 hours per week of childcare
Able to provide a private bedroom
Available to attend orientation meetings and family conferences
Host family commitment
As a Cultural Care host family, you share our commitment to ensuring your au pair’s American experience is as rewarding as possible. You welcome an au pair into your home as a family member and include your au pair in family meals, activities and outings. In exchange for your hospitality, the au pair’s primary responsibility will be to provide childcare assistance, including light household duties related to the children, for up to 45 hours per week.

Your responsibilities
Cultural Care Au Pair is designated and regulated by the U. S. Department of State. All Cultural Care host families must adhere to government regulations, designed to ensure a successful program experience. Au pairs receive a weekly stipend from the host family. Their childcare responsibilities must not exceed 45 hours per week with a limit of 10 hours in any one day. Au pairs are entitled to one-and-a-half consecutive days off per week, one complete weekend off each month and two weeks of paid vacation during the year. A host parent or other responsible adult must be at home during the first three days of the au pair’s stay to familiarize the au pair with your children and home. Your au pair must have a suitable private bedroom in your home.

Au pair education and meetings
Au pairs are also required by government regulation to fulfill an educational component equivalent to six credit hours during their year in the U.S. and attend monthly meetings hosted by the local childcare coordinator. Host parents support their au pair’s education by paying up to $500 for course enrollment and educational materials and providing the au pair with transportation to and from classes and meetings.

Cultural Care Au Pair is one of the most affordable childcare options available. Regardless of the number of children in your family, the average weekly cost is just $320, which includes the application fee, program fee and your au pair’s weekly stipend.

$340 = Cultural Care Au Pair
$400 = Other au pair agencies
$450 = Traditional daycare
$695 = American nannies
How does it add up to $340 a week?

Application Fee $350
Program Fee $7,095
The program fee includes: recruitment, screening, preparation and training (including training materials) for your au pair; pre- and post-arrival orientations; international airfare; medical and travel insurance; ongoing support from Cultural Care staff and your local childcare coordinator throughout the program. We have a budget-friendly payment plan that allows you to pay a reduced initial deposit and the remainder of the program fee over the course of 6 months.
Weekly Stipend $176.85
The weekly stipend is paid by you to your au pair for 51 weeks, including two weeks of paid vacation.The weekly stipend is subject to change based on the federal minimum wage rate. Due to a recent increase in this amount, the stipend will increase incrementally over a 2 year period. Please see a chart of the 2 year schedule.

Timeframe Date of Increase Previous Amount Increased Amount
60 days post-approval Tuesday, July 24, 2007 $139.05/week $157.95/week
12 months post-approval Thursday, July 24, 2008 $157.95/week $176.85/week
24 months post-approval Friday, July 24, 2009 $176.85/week $195.75/week

Add these costs together and divide by 51 weeks
Average weekly cost to you: just $340!

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