AU PAIR BASICS | Essential Aupair

Can I Be A U.S. Au Pair?

The au pair program in the U.S.A. is a government program with set criteria and regulations. This protects young people who come here to au pair, but it also means that there are strict rules governing entrance into the program. You must :

Speak English, although your level of profiency can vary. The official who conducts your J-1 visa interview will decide if your English is adequate.
Be between 18 and 26 years old
Have graduated secondary school (equivalent of U.S. high school)
Be physically capable of caring for children and fully participating in the program, as documented by a physical examination by a medical doctor
Complete a personal interview by an agency representative, a report of which is provided to the host family.
Successfully pass a background check, including verification of diploma, three personal and employment references from people not related to you, a criminal background check, and a personality test.

But there is even more to it. You need to love spending time with kids, as you will be caring for your host family's children for up to 45 hours per week. The schedule is set by the host family, and can change weekly. Your work must be completed in 5 and a half days, meaning that you get a half day and an full day off each week, along with a full weekend off each month.

You will receive a weekly stipend of $196.75 US. Expect that your job will include any housekeeping duties having to do with the children. Au pairs cook for and clean up after the children, do their laundry and tidy up children's rooms. Au pairs may do a fair share of general household chores (if adults in the family take turns loading and emptying the dishwasher, the au pair will do this too). Au pairs are not allowed to do heavy cleaning or yardwork.

Taking care of the kids usually involves driving the family car. Nondrivers are usually only placed with host families that have stay-at-home infants. Practice your driving before you arrive, driving competently and cautiously is very important to most host families.

In return, you receive a private room, your at-home meals and meals eaten out with the host family, in addition to the stipend. Au pairs may be asked to care for the kids on national holidays. You receive two weeks' paid vacation, and if you finish your 12-month program, you are allowed to stay in the U.S. for 30 days after your program ends to travel.

Another benefit is a $500 educational stipend provided by the host family for you to take classes. You are required to take at least 2 college-level classes (60 hours spent in-class) during your year.