The Standard Au Pair program is by far Go Au Pair's most popular program for both Host Families and Au Pairs. Through the Standard program, you must meet the normal Au Pair requirements and be able to perform all the normal Au Pair duties and responsibilities. Standard Au Pairs can care for children as young as three months old as long as you are able to provide documentation of at least 200 hours of experience caring for non-related children under two-years-old. All Au Pairs are permitted to care for children with special needs provided they have prior experience, skills, or training and the duties are clearly stated prior to your arrival. As a Standard Au Pair, you work up to 45 hours each week and receive a weekly stipend of $195.75 – that’s more than $10,000 a year! You are also required to complete six credit hours of education and Host Families contribute a maximum of $500 towards this requirement.
Au Pairs participating in the Au Pair Plus program must have previous experience as an Au Pair in another country in addition to the basic Au Pair requirements for the Standard Au Pair program. Au Pair Plus Au Pairs are also able to perform all the Au Pair duties and responsibilities As a Plus Au Pair, you work up to 45 hours each week and receive a weekly stipend of $215 – that’s more than $11,000 a year! You are also required to complete six credit hours of education and Host Families contribute a maximum of $500 towards this requirement.
Au Pairs in the Premiere program are required to have more experience than Standard and Plus Au Pairs. In order to qualify for this program, Au Pairs must meet the following criteria:
These qualifications are in addition to the requirements for the Standard Au Pair program. Because of the additional experience, Premiere Au Pairs receive the highest weekly stipend. As a Premiere Au Pair, you work up to 45 hours each week and receive a weekly stipend of $255 – that’s more than $13,000 a year! You are also required to complete six credit hours of education and Host Families contribute a maximum of $500 towards this requirement.
Au Pairs participating in the EduCare program have the same Au Pair requirements and have the same Au Pair duties and responsibilities as Standard Au Pairs. EduCare Au Pairs complete more education than Standard Au Pairs and work less hours. EduCare Au Pairs are only able to care for school-aged children. As an EduCare Au Pair, you work up to 30 hours each week and receive a weekly stipend of $146.81, that’s over $7,500 a year. You are also required to complete 12 credit hours of education and Host Families contribute a maximum of $1000 towards this requirement.
This program allows former Au Pairs to return to the U.S. again with their original family or with a new one. Through the Au Pair Again program, you must meet the usual Au Pair requirements in addition to being able to provide proof of successful completion of your initial program, including the education requirement. You also have to reside outside of the U.S. for at least two consecutive years following the initial program. You may use a different agency than the one used in your initial program and have the option to participate in a different program, such as EduCare, Plus or Premiere as an Au Pair Again. Educational requirements remain the same depending on the program in which you participate.
Having a well-prepared application is one of the best ways you increase your chances of matching. Include high quality pictures that don’t look blurry so Host Families can get to know you better. Always be honest and candid in your responses to ensure the family with whom you match knows your true personality and lifestyle. When being interviewed by a potential Host Family, relax and honestly answer their questions. Consider preparing a few questions you would like to ask the Host Family, so you can get to know them better in order to know if you want to match with them. Overall, always remember to respond quickly to emails, phone calls and all correspondences from Go Au Pair, your International Representative and potential Host Families.