Family qualifications
While our host families come from very diverse backgrounds, their are some basic requirements laid out by the U.S. Department of State and Cultural Care Au Pair.
Program Requirements
- Committed to cultural exchange and willing to welcome a young person from abroad into your home as a family member
- U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
- Fluent in spoken English
- The parent(s) or guardian(s) of children requiring up to 45 hours per week of childcare
- Able to provide a private bedroom
- Willing to participate in orientation meetings and attend host family conferences
Program Parameters
- Au pair can work a maximum of 45 hours per week
- Au par can work a maximum of 10 hours in any one day
- Au pairs must have 1.5 consecutive days off per week and one full weekend per month
- Families to provide up to $500 per year towards classes the au pair can take at a local accredited institution. Families must also facilitate transportation.
- Au pairs must attend monthly meetings with their local child care coordinator. Families ensure that the au pair has transportation and the time to attend these meetings.
Au pair bedroom
Many families have questions regarding the live-in element of the program and wonder if their home is suitable. An au pair must have his/her own private bedroom in the home so that she has his/her own space to relax at the end of the day. He/she must also have clothing storage such as a dresser and/or closet. The room does not need to be in an entirely separate area of the home or have its own private bathroom. In fact, most of our au pairs share a bathroom with the children. The most important thing is that the au pair feels welcome in your home and has a bedroom of his/her own.
