Au Pair in America

About Us

What Sets Us Apart?

As the first legal au pair program in the U.S., sanctioned by the U.S. Government in 1986, Au Pair in America has set the standard for State Department child care regulations for more than 20 years. Today, Au Pair in America remains the nation’s most trusted au pair program for infant and child care.

Thousands of Satisfied Families

Having served more than 80,000 families since 1986, our top priority as the industry leader is the well being of your family and your happiness with the program. According to our 2008 host family survey:

90% of families rated their overall experience as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’
94% of families would recommend Au Pair in America to a friend

Child Care Protection Plan - Peace of Mind and Security

If you lose your job, not only will you receive a refund, but we will let you keep your au pair for the remainder of your contract, offering peace of mind and unprecedented security. Read more here.

Worldwide recruitment

We have the largest applicant pool in the industry to help you find the perfect child care match and cultural exchange experience for your family. We annually place more than 4,500 au pairs, ages 18 to 26, with documented child care experience. Applicants come from over 60 countries on five continents, and our multi-tiered screening ensures that only the most exceptional and qualified au pairs are accepted.

Professional local support

You will meet one of our 180 community counselors who lives in your area when you apply, and they will guide you through the matching process. Au Pair in America community counselors provide daily, ongoing, local support to both host families and au pairs. Counselors are steeped in the love of cultural exchange, and their job is to provide the best guidance they can. They have no quotas and do not work on commission, so when you need their help, there are no strings attached.

Screening and training

Au Pair in America uses a multi-tiered screening process to ensure that au pair applicants are appropriate for placement, including a personal interview; reference checks; a criminal background check; physician’s report; and a psychometric test. Upon arrival, au pairs participate in an extensive orientation and training program, which includes child safety and child development training. Au Pair in America is the only agency to provide American Red Cross CPR and First Aid certification for our au pairs.

Program options to fit your family

Whether your children are infants or school aged, Au Pair in America has the solution for your family. Choose from Au Pair, Extraordinaire, or EduCare to satisfy your child care needs.

Global Awareness

This popular initiative helps promote multi-cultural understanding by encouraging au pairs to share their culture, customs and language in presentations at your community’s elementary or middle schools. And throughout the exchange year with your au pair, Au Pair in America promotes cultural fairs and charity events in your community that advance our mission to “bring the world together.” Visit the Global Awareness website.

Organizational strength

Au Pair in America is a division of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS), which has provided educational and cultural exchange programs for more than 40 years. Our resources enable reliable visa processing, comprehensive insurance for au pairs and discounts for host families interested in any of AIFS’s renowned programs.