Do you love working with children? If so, you may be looking to further your career and gain some new experiences in the U.S.A. If this has always been a dream of yours, then you may be busy researching different agencies and companies who can give you sponsorship to join a host family in America. Au Pairs live with an American Host Family and help take care of their children in exchange for room and board, a weekly stipend (paid by the family), an educational contribution from the family, and more. If this sounds like something of interest to you, then look no further. Read on for more information!
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In order for a family to host you as an Au Pair, they must use one of the sixteen legal agencies which have been designated by the U.S. Department of State. These agencies will act as your sponsor when it comes to applying for your J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa.
My Au Pair experts have done the research so you don’t have to, so check out the list below to find the best options for Au Pair agencies you could enquire with.
Go Au Pair
Here we have Go Au Pair. This is one of the original six agencies designated by the U.S. Department of State in 1989. This is a medium-sized agency that focuses mainly on getting the match right. The last thing you want is to come over to America and not get along with your host family. Getting to know you and the host family is what Go Au Pair prioritizes so there are no failed matches.
They have built a solid reputation in the Au Pair industry and many host families will go back to them for other placements. So, what can they do for you? They will support you with your application and offer you the standard hours covered in their program. This is 45 hours for the standard Au Pair and 30 hours for children who attend school during the day.
Pros
- Dedicated International Representatives - no matter where you are located, there will be a dedicated representative to help you through your application process. This can be pretty complex, especially if english isn’t your first language.
- Help Finding Classes - proactive in ensuring you will complete your specific 6-credit educational requirement. You will be able to attend local classes that are both interesting and affordable.
- Regular Check Ins - you will be provided with a 24/7 emergency support line. You can also have monthly check-ins to ensure you are happy and well.
Cons
- Intense Application - the application process can be incredibly time consuming. You will need to provide quite a lot of documentation and go through various screenings.
- Manage Your Own Profile - you need to manage your own profile and respond to families to ensure you get the best placement.
Au Pair in America
This agency is perhaps one of the most respected in the industry, maybe because it is also the longest running in America. They recruit from over sixty countries, so be sure to check if yours is on the list. If you join this agency you will receive specialized training that includes child safety and child development. If you have special needs experience then you might be sought-after through this agency. They offer a dedicated SEN track that helps match caregivers and host families based on experience with medical conditions.
Pros
- Extraordinaire - If you have experience and a degree then you can find yourself joining the Au Pair Extraordinaire program. This gives you higher wages and access to top-tier host families.
- Friends - with such a large alumni of candidates, you will never be too far from a friendly cluster.
- Rematches Handled - if you ever run into difficulty and need a new host family, this will be dealt with much quicker than the smaller companies.
Cons
- Application - Au Pair In America is known for having one of the hardest application processes. You must have extensive references, a high level of the English language, and pass a psychometric test.
- Strict Rules - as they are the longest running agency, you can expect to follow strict rules that don’t offer much leniency.
Au Pair 4 Me
If you are looking for a smaller, more boutique-style agency then you have come to the right one. Au Pair 4 Me prides itself on being approachable and less ‘businesslike’ than other agencies. If you are after high support and are relatively new to the program, then Au Pair 4 Me might be the best match.
Pros
- Genuine Care - they offer personalized matches, meaning they take the time to match host families and the au pairs.
- Insurance - they cover comprehensive insurance for you as an AuPair, this tends to exceed the minimum required by the Department of state.
- Customer service - you won’t feel like you are just another number to them.
Cons
- Small Social Circle - if you are hoping to meet other Au Pairs in the local vicinity then you may not have a huge selection. You won’t get a massive cluster with Au Pair 4 Me.
- Picky - they have a highly selective database which means you may not get chosen for an au pair position any time soon.
Cultural Care Au Pair
This is probably the largest Au Pair agency in the world, not just in the States. They have worked incredibly hard to get to where they are today. Joining their Au Pair program could do wonders for your career in childcare. If you join them you can get outstanding training from their New York school, and this typically happens before you join your host family.
Pros
- Frequent Meet Ups - with a huge amount of clusters, you will never be short of monthly meetings to attend and meet other like-minded Au Pairs.
- Amazing Tech - you will be provided with access to their very own app, which is top tier in the tech industry. You can easily chat to families, manage your documents, and also find other Au Pairs locally.
Cons
- Number - as they are such a large company, you can often be left feeling like you are just a number to them.
- High Fees - in certain countries the application fees can be higher than average. Check this out before applying.
We do hope you found this article interesting and it gave you all of the information you could possibly need to start your journey to being an Au Pair in America.
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