Host Family Screening & Matching

At Cultural Care, we rely on a fine-tuned matching process that takes into consideration the personalities, needs and interests of our au pairs and host families.

Cultural Care Au Pair is the largest au pair agency in the world — which means we will provide you with access to the largest pool of host families in the USA.

Our Host Families

We carefully screen our host families to ensure you will be happy and comfortable during your time abroad. Each host family must have excellent references and sign a binding contract to abide by the rules and regulations of the au pair programme. After checking references, our experienced representative conducts an in-home interview to confirm that they meet all of our requirements. We also conduct criminal background checks for all host families, to make sure that you are placed in a safe home environment.

Our host families come in all shapes and sizes. Most live near a large American city, but others live in urban or small town environments. One or both parents may work and the number and age of children varies from family to family. But there is one thing they all have in common: A need for flexible childcare and a genuine interest in learning about a new culture, whilst teaching you about their own. Many of our families have hosted au pairs before, and we’re proud of the fact that almost 70% of our host families continue with us year after year.

Our Matching Process

Our matching process is based on the principle that both the family and the au pair have a chance to view information about each other, speak with each other and then, when both sides are happy that they have found the right match, finalise a placement.

You will be able to speak to multiple families at a time. To help you figure out which family is the best match for you, your Cultural Care team will be on hand to guide you through the matching process. They’ll help you understand what matters most in a host family so you can make the best decision for your program experience.

Before any final decisions are made, you will have the chance to review host family applications with the option to accept or deny any offers made. After you accept an offer from a host family, your local Cultural Care office will continue to work with you to prepare for your experience as an au pair.

While other au pair organisations rely on impersonal online systems to match you with a host family, we have experienced representatives in the USA working directly with host families and au pairs. Our experience shows that this personal touch helps ensure the most successful match and the best possible programme experience. Would you fit better in an active family, who loves sports and outdoor exercise — or is a quiet evening together watching a favourite family film more your speed? Our goal is to make a match between you and the host family that fits you best.

Learn more about the steps to become an au pair.