Welcome to Go Au Pair

An Au Pair Agency That Truly Cares.

Q: Can Au Pairs care for special needs children?

Yes, Au Pairs are allowed to care for special needs children, as identified by the Host Family, when the Au Pair has specifically identified their prior experience, skills or training in the care of special needs children and the Host Family has reviewed and acknowledged in writing the Au Pair’s prior experience, skills or training so identified. Many of our available Au Pairs have broad experiences and are interested in caring for children with special needs.

A trusted Au Pair agency for over 30 years, Go Au Pair provides an extraordinary cultural exchange program and a safe, reliable, live-in childcare solution.

We know choosing the right childcare does not come easily. You don’t want to sacrifice quality to get more flexibility, and you shouldn’t have to! We strive to facilitate a trusted, reliable, long-lasting relationship between your family and your Au Pair.

Register as a Host Family for free and search our incredible database of Au Pairs. Identify qualified Au Pair candidates based on your family’s unique needs.

     
 
 
      
 
   Lisseth Barco 
 October 4, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Being an Aupair is the best experience I have I found an amazing host family to share our cultures makes me feel like home bc we shared similar traditions and I’m going to say that I’m having a good experience with the program and of course doing my second year with the same family and that’s why I really recommend them 🤗 thanks GoAupair to make us have a good experience outside of our countries sharing our cultures.
  
 
     
 
   Zandile Majola 
 October 3, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. At first I didn’t know if this program would be legit being away from home in a foreign country just by myself? GoAuPair would encourage me and help me through out each step of the way! I have the best communication with my agency back home on starting and still we still communicate! I enjoy this experience too because you don’t come here to just exchange culture but you as a person starts to grow! Since being away from family kinda helps you build yourself and your character! I’ve made friends both au pairs and local which is super cool. You get to see places and see the beauty of the U.S and experience a whole different side of culture here. Yes in your first year save money to visit home because you’ll get home sick haha! 😊
  
 
     
 
   Dani Lozano 
 October 2, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My experience with Go Au Pair was definitely a very special chapter of my life. I spent two years in the U.S. and had the opportunity to improve my English, experience a new culture, meet amazing people and grow so much as a person.

Being an Au Pair was not always easy and there were definitely some challenges along the way, but I think those experiences also helped me become more independent, responsible and adaptable. I’m very grateful for all the memories I made, the children I had the opportunity to care for and everything I learned during these two years.

I’m really happy I decided to take this opportunity and I would recommend the program to anyone who is looking for a cultural exchange experience and wants to step outside of their comfort zone. 💜
  
 
     
 
   Katie L 
 October 2, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We’ve had a really positive experience with our au pair this year and wanted to share our appreciation. Having her as part of our family has been wonderful, and we’re happy we chose the au pair program. Thank you for helping make this a great experience for our family!
  
 
     
 
   Marina Djurich 
 September 30, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We’ve had a wonderful experience with this agency. The team has been consistently responsive, kind, and genuinely supportive throughout the entire process. They communicate clearly, follow through on commitments, and make everything feel organized and manageable. We truly appreciate their professionalism and the care they’ve shown our family. Highly recommend working with them.
  
 
 
 
  
 
   Google rating score: 4.7 of 5, based on 194 reviews

Want to Become an Au Pair?

Your American story starts here.

Flexible & Affordable

Advantages of Joining Our Au Pair Program

Gain a new, international family member.
Introduce your children to new languages and cultures through our carefully vetted Au Pairs.
Afford flexible, reliable, live-in childcare for the same price, no matter how many kids you have.
Share the best of the USA with your Au Pair and spread the love around the world!

See what to expect from our Host Family Process >

What does an Au Pair do?

They make your life easier by performing common childcare tasks.

School & Activities

Lunches, homework, backpacks, after-school activities; Au Pairs provide a convenient way to manage your busy schedule.

Laundry & Tidying Up

Au Pairs help out around the house, doing laundry and cleaning bedrooms and play areas for the kids – allowing you more quality time to spend with your kids.

Culture, Meals & Fun

Cultural fun every day through food, games, holidays, and other activities! Get top notch enrichment and love for your kids.

Learn more about Au Pair duties and definitions >

Au Pair vs Nanny

While a Nanny can be live-in or not, they’re usually from your local area, and the pay and responsibilities are decided entirely between the family and Nanny.

Au Pairs are young people between 18-26 from another country, who live with your family while caring for the children. An Au Pair can even care for multiple children without additional cost! See more about the differences between a Nanny, Au Pair, and Daycare.

Au Pair vs Nanny vs Daycare >

How much do you pay an Au Pair?

A weekly stipend of at least $195.75 is the minimum provided by the State Department; Host Families and Au Pairs may agree to a stipend above the legally applicable minimum. Host Families also pay a one-time contribution of $500 toward the Au Pair’s educational requirements during each placement year.

With Go Au Pair, live-in childcare starts at $8.98/hour for up to 45 hours per week, and offers more flexibility to your family than any other form of childcare.

Au Pair Cost Breakdown >

Featured Au Pairs

DAYANA from ECUADOR

“I decided to extend with a new Host Family to experience a different family dynamic, continue growing professionally as a childcare provider, and further immerse myself in cultural exchange while contributing my skills and dedication to a new home.”

SARA from SPAIN

“I would like become an Au Pair with an American family to share their daily life and learn about American culture. I haven’t decided on my college major yet, but I would like to work with children in the field of sports, and I want to become fluent in English.”

NINO from FRANCE

“I love children; I love it when they want to play all day and tell funny stories about their dreams. I love dancing with them in the living room or baking cookies. Simply finding happiness in the little things!”

Frequently Asked Questions About the Au Pair Program

Can Au Pairs care for special needs children?

Yes, Au Pairs are allowed to care for special needs children, as identified by the Host Family, when the Au Pair has specifically identified their prior experience, skills or training in the care of special needs children and the Host Family has reviewed and acknowledged in writing the Au Pair’s prior experience, skills or training so identified.

Many of our available Au Pairs have broad experiences and are interested in caring for children with special needs.

Can Au Pairs drive in the U.S.?

Yes, your Au Pair may drive in the U.S. for a variety of reasons including (but not limited to) as part of child care responsibilities, to attend school, to attend events hosted by your Local Area Representative and/or for personal/social reasons. Host Families are responsible for reviewing and screening an Au Pair’s driving experience during the matching process and for helping the Au Pair adjust to driving in the U.S. after arrival.

Au Pairs do not have cars. If driving is part of the Au Pair’s child care responsibilities then a car must be provided. All other car access is coordinated between the Au Pair and Host Family. Any Au Pair driving in the U.S. must have auto insurance coverage and a driver’s license (either international license or state license depending on state law).

What is the screening process for Au Pairs?

Au Pair selection is regulated by the U.S. Department of State and includes at minimum:

The Au Pair is between the ages of 18 and 26
Secondary school graduate, or equivalent
Proficient in spoken English
Capable of fully participating as evidenced by satisfactory completion of a physical exam
Personally interviewed, in English, by organizational representative
Successfully passed a background investigation which includes verification of school, three non-family personal and employment references, criminal background check and successfully pass a psychometric test

Go Au Pair screens and selects potential Au Pairs through the following:

Au Pair profile
Photo copies of official documents such as passport, school diploma, driver’s license, certificates, etc.
Au Pair agreement

Au Pair selection is performed primarily by our International Representatives in the Au Pair’s home country.

Can I get an Au Pair without an Au Pair Agency?

According to State Department regulations (e-CFR §62.31), only designated sponsor agencies are able to sponsor an Au Pair visa.

There are sixteen designated Au Pair agencies in the U.S. To bring an Au Pair into the U.S. on the J-1 Visa, you would have to work with one of those sixteen agencies.

So in this sense, no, you cannot find an Au Pair without an agency.

View our Host Family FAQ Page

What Qualifications do Au Pairs have?

Childcare experience: all our Au Pairs have verified employment experience across various types of childcare.
Infant Qualified: Specialty experience requirements to care for children under the age of 2, giving parents peace of mind.
Driving Experience: The most common childcare responsibility – identify what will be involved in getting your Au Pair acclimated to driving in the USA.
Personality: See personality traits to help get a deeper connection with your live-in childcare provider.