Au pair stay in America (USA)

Please note: In order to host an au pair at your home, you need to contact one of 14 US designated au pair agencies!

Duties

The au pair primarily joins your family to look after your children. Besides, he/she will take over light household chores.
Please note: If the au pair is required to look after a child younger than 3 months, it is obligatory that a parent or another adult is present during that time! For more information, please contact the designated agencies.

You should agree upon the exact duties with your future au pair before the placement starts. These will be set forth in the au pair contract. You will receive the au pair contract from your designated agency.

Costs

Agency fee

Host families in the USA pay an agency fee to one of the designated au pair agencies amounting to 6.000-8.000 US dollars.

Pocket money

Your au pair receives a weekly pocket money of 195.75 US dollars.

Board and lodging

Your au pair receives free board and lodging throughout the entire period of time he/she stays with your family. This includes times of illness and the au pair's vacation.

Tuition fees

As a host family you pay the costs of academic courses for your au pair amounting up to 500 US dollars per year.

The 14 US designated au pair agencies can provide you with some more detailed information on costs and fees.

Working hours

Your au pair works up to 45 hours per week. He/she shall not work more than 10 hours a day.

Free time

Your au pair is entitled to receive 1.5 free days per week and one free weekend per month. The free weekend starts on Friday evening and ends on Monday morning.

Holidays

When staying with your family for one year, your au pair is entitled to 2 weeks (10 work days) of paid holiday.

Childcare courses

Prior to the au pair placement, he/she must complete one "Child Safety" (at least 8 hours) and one "Child Development" course (at least 24 hours). It is obligatory to attend further courses in the USA.

Language course

Some agencies offer language courses for au pairs. In some cases, taking part in these courses is compulsory.

Additional information

The US Department of State offers some information on the au pair programme in the USA online.