Au pair placement at AuPairCare
AuPairCare has been accompanying participants on their way to becoming an au pair and during their time abroad for almost 30 years. We have already placed over 22,000 young women and men with suitable host families. If you would like to become an au pair, we are the right partner for you. Our team of experienced advisors will do everything in their power to make your dream of being an au pair come true.
The placement period - the time in between submitting your application until your arrival at the host family - depends on various factors. The sooner you complete your application, the sooner your profile can be found by an interested host family, and the sooner you can get in touch with them. If you are particularly fast, it can only take 2-3 months from your application to your departure.
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Steps of becoming an Au pair
Your interest
You want to become an au pair? Start your application or call us. Together we can clarify whether you meet the requirements, where to go and how to start.
Your application
Now it's time to get started with your application! We will support you with any questions that may arise.
Your personal interview
Let's get to know each other! In order to clarify all open questions and discuss the further application process, we will schedule an informal interview with you, either in person or by phone, which will be conducted in English.
Your host family
If a host family is interested in you, you will receive an e-mail with all the information for your first contact. Both you and your host family have to decide for one another and determine the date of your arrival together.
Your visa
Once you've found a host family, it's time to apply for your au pair visa (for non-EU destinations). For the USA, you need to schedule an appointment at the embassy. For your Australian or New Zealand visa, you can simply apply online.
What we promise:
We accompany you from the beginning to the end of your application process.
The full programme fees are only due after you match with a host family.
Our emergency hotline is open around the clock - 7 days a week!
Your safety is important to us: Your programme fees include a comprehensive insurance package for non-EU countries.
The au pair interview
After you have submitted your complete application, we will schedule an interview with you. We believe that it is important to get to know you and for you to get to know us! It's also a chance to discuss the further process with you and answer all your questions. The interview will be conducted by an AuPairCare representative and will either be in person or via Skype or phone. If you want to go the US, a personal interview is a mandatory prerequisite and a US Department of State regulation.
The interview will be in English. Don't worry, it's not an English test and it does not matter if your English isn't perfect. Our aim is to have a relaxed and open conversation with you. Since you will be communicating with your host family in English every day, this is a good way to get started with a little practice run!
You do not have to prepare for the interview. You will already know why you want to become an au pair and have an idea of what it means to be an au pair. Just be yourself and try to be open and relaxed!
What's next?
After your application and your successful interview, the placement process can finally start. Your documents will be forwarded by us to our AuPairCare office in San Francisco or to our partner agency abroad. Now it's time to wait! Once a family is interested in you, you will receive an email with their contact details and all the important information.
Most families would like to ask potential au pairs some questions in order to get to know them better and decide if they would be a good fit. The chemistry must be right on both sides. An au pair skype interview is a good opportunity to find out if the family is right for you and if you and the family are a good match.
Once you decide for one another, you will set your arrival date. Now you can apply for your au pair visa.
High chances of placement
Benefit from our experience! AuPairCare is one of the most renowned placement agencies and has been placing au pairs and host families for 30 years. Become an au pair with AuPairCare and find a host family abroad!
Your preparation and support at AuPairCare
We greatly value personal contact. From start to finish, we remain your point of contact and work closely with our colleagues and partners abroad. Even after your successful placement, we are here for you to make your stay as an au pair as smooth and memorable as possible. You can rely on us and our AuPairCare support network to prepare you for your life as an au pair and support you at any step of the way, both abroad and at home.
Before your departure
Before your departure
If you meet all the necessary requirements for participation, you will receive all information for a successful application, access to your au pair portal (US participants only) and the contract documents.
Depending on your destination, there will be a preparatory orientation in your host country before you will meet your host family. However, please note that this is not the case for every programme.
During your time abroad
During your time abroad
During your au pair stay, our AuPairCare colleagues/partner agency are/is your first point of contact. Your personal area director will be there to help you and your host family with any issues that may arise. Your area director
- reviews your host family's application according to strict programme rules and checks them in advance, explaining the programme to them, obtaining references, and making sure the family is ready to accept you as a family member
- calls you soon after your arrival
- arranges meetings with you
- may organize meetings with other international au pairs
- supports you in the choice of college courses (US programme only)
AuPairCare teams abroad and in Germany are also available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year via a 24-hour emergency hotline.
Back in your home country
Back in your home country
Even after your return, your au pair adventure is far from over! We would be delighted if you stayed in touch with us. Perhaps you would like to become an AuPairCare representative and help prepare other au pairs in your area for their stay abroad?
Maybe you would like to share your experiences with future participants and prospects as a returnee at fairs and informational events. We also invite you to share your photos and videos with us, or write an experience report.
Do you have any questions for us?
Would you like to know something about the au pair interview, the matching process with families or the au pair program in general? You can also contact us directly via WhatsApp. We look forward to your message! Due to the current situation, it may take us a bit longer to respond. We apologize and thank you for your understanding.