When you host an au pair in Chicago, you can enjoy flexible childcare that fits your family’s routine. From helping with meals, laundry, and school drop-offs to sharing their language and culture, au pairs bring care and connection into your home.
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Au pair childcare gives families a rare combination: flexible in-home coverage, a consistent caregiver, and a cultural exchange experience.
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Your Local Childcare Consultant (LCC) will prepare your family and provide ongoing support for you and your au pair.
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Your Matching Specialist will guide you through the process of searching for and interviewing au pair candidates until you find a great fit.
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Your Customer Relations specialist will offer additional support as needed during your hosting experience.
When you join our Chicago au pair program, you’ll have local area support—along with dedicated Cultural Care office staff—by your side every step of the way.
Your Local Childcare Consultant (LCC) will prepare your family and provide ongoing support for you and your au pair.
Your Matching Specialist will guide you through the process of searching for and interviewing au pair candidates until you find a great fit.
Your Customer Relations specialist will offer additional support as needed during your hosting experience.
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"Giorgia is more than an au pair; she is a constant, loving presence who has helped shape [our kids'] world during some of their most formative years
From the moment Giorgia walked through our front door, my husband and I felt an immediate sense of relief—something that is hard to put into words unless you’ve truly needed it. I was newly postpartum with my daughter at the time, and Giorgia entered our home with such calm, warmth, and grace. During a season when I was going through so much emotionally and physically, she created a space that felt safe, supportive, and compassionate."
— Liz, host mom in Chicago, Illinois
Au pairs available in your area
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2,000+ hrs childcare experience
Loves running and going to the gym
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Studying to become a family lawyer
Enjoys baking
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Loves dancing and swimming
Is a tutor and babysitter for local children
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Getting a degree in education
Volunteers at children's support associations
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Enjoys crafts and gardening
Worked as a camp counselor
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Cares for siblings
Loves outdoor adventures
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Works at a daycare center
1,500+ hrs childcare experience
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2,000+ hrs childcare experience
Infant qualified
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Works as a nutritionist
Has babysitting experience
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Infant qualified
Loves reading and being outside
Annual program fee1
$11,245
Paid to Cultural Care. Based on a 52 week program.
Minimum weekly au pair stipend2
$195.75
Paid directly to your au pair.
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Average annual cost of a nanny in Illinois3
Average annual cost of an au pair in Illinois
Any questions? Talk to us directly
1-800-333-6056
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1Au pairs pay a smaller program fee to the foreign company that screens them, but no portion of that fee is used to pay for the costs of their international airfare or domestic U.S. transportation. Au pairs may be charged additional fees in the event of special travel requests.
2The U.S. Department of State has determined that au pairs are required to receive from their host families at least $195.75 per week. Host families and au pairs are free to discuss and agree to compensation higher than the required stipend minimum; however, this cannot be in exchange for the au pair exceeding the regulatory limits on working hours (10 hours per day; 45 hours per week) or performing duties beyond childcare-related tasks. The State Department formula is based on the federal minimum wage and applicable room and board credits. Any change in the federal minimum wage or the applicable credits will result in an increase in this minimum stipend amount. Please note, should a family extend beyond the first year, they would be responsible for the stipend for each week of the extension term.
3Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA), 2024 report, Care.com – Average Nanny Salary by State, ZipRecruiter – Nanny Salaries by State, Care.com – Cost of Care Report (2025), Care.com – Local Cost Pages (e.g., DC, Atlanta), U.S. State Department + Au Pair Agencies, BridgeUSA - 2024 new au pair exchange visitors.
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