Go Au Pair in Washington DC offers a child care experience through cultural exchange
What is an Au Pair?
Au Pairs are pre-screened international young adults with child care experience who provide full time, live-in child care and introduces a memorable cultural experience at an affordable cost. With Au Pair child care, families in Washington DC can enjoy all the benefits of in home child care.
Au Pairs can be responsible for general supervision of the children, driving, laundry, homework help, preparing meals, and providing morning and bedtime help. As an Au Pair agency, Go Au Pair is dedicated to helping families in the DC area choose an Au Pair that fits their specific family needs.
Local Area Representatives in Washington DC
Go Au Pair has a Local Area Representative in DC and surrounding areas to help our families during their experience. Our agency’s local representative will assist your family and Au Pair with any questions related to your live in child care needs.
Amanda Walter
“Our family enjoys cultural exchange. Also, au pair childcare is very flexible, a good value, and gives us secure childcare for at least 1 year at a time.”
“Everyone at Go Au Pair has been fantastic to work with. Professional, knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely wanted to help us find the right Au Pair for our family.”
The areas I serve near DC
My territory spans across three counties in Northern Virginia and Maryland (Loudoun, Fairfax, and Montgomery Counties). It encompasses urban centers like Gaithersburg and Fairfax, suburban neighborhoods in Ashburn, Chantilly, and Vienna, and smaller towns such as Purcellville, Aldie, and Great Falls.
With a solid foundation in Education and Child Development through a bachelor’s degree, complemented by year-round sports coaching and enriched by a multicultural family background, I bring over a decade of comprehensive experience as a local area representative for Go Au Pair. Guiding au pairs in seamlessly adapting to new lifestyles and providing families with assistance in navigating intricate interpersonal dynamics forms the core of my deeply rewarding role, fostering global understanding and facilitating personal growth.
I am passionate about the au pair program because it allows me to immerse myself in diverse cultures, which I find incredibly enriching. I take pleasure in facilitating conflict resolution, building bridges, and fostering understanding while addressing challenges that arise, making each experience uniquely rewarding.
Within my cluster, I oversee a diverse array of families comprising Doctors, IT professionals, stay-at-home moms, restaurant managers, and small business owners. These families are involved in their communities and balance demanding family and work commitments. Similarly, the au pairs in my cluster hail from various Latin, European, African, and Asian countries, and they share common interests such as socializing with friends, engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, and embracing novel experiences.
Au Pair Cultural Activities
Au Pairs are required to attend a number of Cultural Activities with their Local Area Representative and nearby Au Pairs to make sure they experience the local community and culture during their stay. Below are some of the activities Amanda’s cluster has been up to recently!
Colonial Kids Day in Purcellville offered an exciting blend of education and entertainment. Au pairs engaged in hands-on colonial-era activities, fostering learning and bonding in a lively atmosphere. This event provided au pairs with an active role in experiencing a day in the life of a colonial person, making it a unique and enriching outing.
The Burke Lake Hike provides au pairs with a wonderful opportunity to immerse themselves in nature and stay active. Exploring the scenic trails around Burke Lake can be a refreshing break from daily routines, offering peaceful moments and a chance to bond with each other. It’s an ideal way for au pairs to enjoy quality time outdoors and appreciate the natural beauty of the area.
Cox Farms, especially during its Fall Festival, is a dynamic and festive attraction that au pairs would likely find highly enjoyable. With a vibrant atmosphere, diverse activities, and seasonal delights, au pairs can participate in the fun. From pumpkin picking to corn mazes, the Fall Festival at Cox Farms offers a unique cultural experience that an au pair can cherish.
Migena Nuri
“Everyone at Go Au Pair has been fantastic to work with. Professional, knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely wanted to help us find the right Au Pair for our family.”
“Our family enjoys cultural exchange. Also, au pair childcare is very flexible, a good value, and gives us secure childcare for at least 1 year at a time.”
The areas I serve near DC
I mainly serve the Washington DC area, but also work with families in VA and MD, as part pf the greater Washington DC area. Au Pairs that place with Host families in Washington DC, Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring would be in my cluster.
I am a mother of 2 children and have been working for Go Au Pair for 8 years, having served over 200 Host Families and their Au Pairs. I am a former diplomat, a job that has enabled me to work in different countries and come across many cultures. This is probably the main reasons why the Au Pair program is very close to my heart. Having studied abroad myself, I can clearly see the challenges and the satisfaction that these young girls experience through the program.
Washington DC is a vibrant capital, home to many families with children of all ages. While our cluster is usually dominated by young families with an average of 3 children, the number of school age, even early teenage kids are becoming more common, as these Families start their journey early in parenthood and are drawn to the many positive aspects of the Au Pair program. Our Au Pairs are wonderful young people who came to US eager to learn more about the country and the American, and share a lot about theirs. Spanish is the native language mostly spoken by our Au Pairs.
Au Pair Cultural Activities
This is our “safe” event to do when the weather is cold and unpredictable (November or February). We rent out 2 lanes and form 2 teams. It is one of the events that attracts many friends from outside our cluster, because it is so much fun under a strong spirit of competitiveness.
Everyone is informed at the orientation that in December we’ll go to the Holiday Bazar in City Center in DC, so have those Christmas lists ready by early December. German goodies, Austrian pastries, Eastern Europe crystals, South American accessories, you can find everything there. Fresh donuts and hot chocolate accompany us through this event.
Caroline Flaherty
About me
My name is Caroline. I was born and raised in Alexandria, VA. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bulgaria for two years and studied abroad in Italy. I taught kindergarten for six years. I have three sons and a dog.
I now serve as the LAR (Local Area Representative) for Go Au Pair and absolutely love working with my host families and au pairs. It’s a wonderful program and I’m proud to be a part of it.
My favorite thing about being a LAR
My favorite thing about the job is seeing the love and joy that results from host families and au pairs having a positive, fulfilling experience together.
I often have host parents tell me how much happiness and peace of mind they and their children feel with their au pair in their family, and au pairs often tell me that this experience is better than they imagined it could be. That is just one of many highlights of my job.
Why I love my job
I have served as an LAR since March 2015 and I love working with my host families and au pairs. I have over a decade of experience working with families and children both as a kindergarten teacher, as well as a childcare provider before that. I truly enjoy working with people from all unique cultures.
As an LAR I stay in close contact with families and au pairs to support them and help make the program a mutually wonderful experience. I also plan exciting cultural activities many times per year.
In my cluster we have 1-15 au pairs at a time from all over the world.
Territory State(s)
Virginia (VA) and Maryland (MD)
Territory Geo Description
I cover the section of Northern Virginia that includes Arlington County, Alexandria City, Eastern Fairfax County, and Stafford as well as Southern Prince George’s County in Maryland.
Territory Major Towns
Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Lorton, Stafford
Territory Counties
Fairfax, Arlington, Stafford, Southern Prince George’s
Additional Resources for Families and Au Pairs in Washington DC
As an au pair on a J-1 visa in the DMV area, start by gathering your J-1 visa, Form DS-2019, Social Security Number or a letter of ineligibility, and proof of residency. Study the Virginia Driver’s Manual thoroughly for the written knowledge test. Visit a local Virginia/Maryland DMV office with required documents to apply. Pass the knowledge test and vision screening, and if needed, take a behind-the-wheel test. Upon success, you’ll receive a provisional driver’s license with certain restrictions, and later, you can apply for a full driver’s license after meeting necessary criteria.
While many host families offer car access, some au pairs may not have unrestricted use of a vehicle. In such cases, public transit, like buses and trains with route maps and reloadable cards, becomes essential.
Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft offer door-to-door convenience, while biking and walking are eco-friendly options for shorter journeys. Building connections with fellow au pairs can also provide valuable insights and options with navigating the area.
The most common brick and mortar schools utilized are:
- 1. Montgomery College- A community college offering diverse programs across multiple campuses in Montgomery County, promoting accessible education and career pathways. https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/
- 2. University of Maryland (Shady Grove)- A collaborative campus that provides access to a range of undergraduate and graduate programs from various University of Maryland institutions. https://shadygrove.umd.edu/
- 3.Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)- A community college with multiple campuses, offering affordable programs and pathways to higher education and workforce readiness. https://www.nvcc.edu/
- 4. George Mason University- A comprehensive research university in Fairfax with a diverse range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. https://www.gmu.edu/academics/continuing-and-professional-education
- 5. Shenandoah University (Northern Virginia Campus)- Offering programs in fields like health sciences, business, and education, providing hands-on learning experiences. https://www.su.edu/
- 6. Marymount University- providing a blend of academic excellence and urban convenience, offering various programs including health sciences and business. https://marymount.edu/
Child Friendly Activities for Au Pairs and Host Families
Au Pairs will find that Washington DC offers a wide variety of exciting things to do and places to visit. There are many historical museums, art displays, scenic touring, and physical activities. Families can help Au Pairs find activities they are most interested in.
Explore the iconic National Mall in Washington, D.C., home to historic monuments, memorials, and world-renowned museums.
Enjoy the natural beauty of the Potomac River while hiking along scenic trails that lead to impressive waterfalls.
Wander through the cobblestone streets of this historic city, lined with charming boutiques, restaurants, and historic sites.
Experience the maritime charm of Solomons Island with waterfront dining, art galleries, and maritime museums.
Immerse yourself in history at this park known for its Civil War past, offering beaches, hiking, and serene landscapes.