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.

     
 
 
      
 
   Alessia 
 September 13, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The Au Pair experience will forever be a cherished memory in my life, I’ve had the opportunity to meet wonderful people, practice the language and learn new things about the culture. This wouldn’t have been possible without GoAuPair.
  
 
     
 
   Angela Paola 
 September 10, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My experience as an au pair with Go Au Pair has been great! I’ve learned a lot, improved my English, and had many wonderful experiences. I’m very grateful for this opportunity!
  
 
     
 
   Illari Milagros Garcia Escalante 
 September 9, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a wonderful experience with Go Au Pair. My year as an Au Pair in the United States gave me the opportunity to grow so much both personally and professionally. I was lucky to become part of a wonderful host family, create a very special bond with my host child, improve my English, travel, experience new cultures, and become more independent and confident. Go Au Pair supported me throughout the process, from preparing for my program to completing my requirements at the end of my year. Being an Au Pair was much more than just living in another country; it was a cultural exchange that gave me memories, friendships, and experiences that I will always carry with me. I am very grateful for everything I experienced during this year and for the opportunity to be part of the Go Au Pair program. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in cultural exchange, traveling, improving their English, and experiencing life with an American family.
  
 
     
 
   Ashley Berg 
 September 8, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Go Au Pair has been a great fit for our family. Having an au pair has given us the flexibility and consistency we need with three children, along with a cultural experience that has been genuinely meaningful for all of us. Patti has been a wonderful local resource and is always helpful, responsive and easy to reach. She also communicates regularly with the au pairs and plans fun activities and outings that give them opportunities to meet one another and build friendships. We’ve had a very positive experience and would absolutely recommend the program to other families.
  
 
     
 
   Tracy Li 
 September 4, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The two years I spent in the au pair program were the most amazing years of my life. I am deeply grateful to my host family; I traveled to ten cities across seven U.S. states and gained a deep understanding of American culture. I will definitely be back—America, just you wait!
  
 
 
 
  
 
   Google rating score: 4.7 of 5, based on 190 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

FABIANA from PERU

“My passion for children drives me to adapt to their needs and support their growth.”

ALICIA from SPAIN

“I really like the idea of being part of a family, not just working for them, but sharing daily life together.”

NINO from FRANCE

“I would like to become an Au Pair with an American family to share in their daily life and learn about American culture.”

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.