Go Au Pair in Pittsburgh offers a child care experience through cultural exchange.
Au Pairs provide reliable, live-in child care which meets the specific needs of your family.
And – an Au Pair costs the same no matter how many children you have.
What our Host Families love about the Au Pair program
Kris CleggAugust 10, 2023We've worked with 6 different au pair agencies and and have had au pairs join our family from 2 of those agencies. Go Au Pair was one of those two and we have nothing but fantastic things to say about the agency. Local Area Coordinators have been wonderful and our Au Pair really loved working with them too. The screen process is great and we really appreciated the detailed reports and information they make available to host families during the matching process. The agency fees seem fair and competitive and we're starting a new placement with them soon.Radostin KanevJuly 17, 2023We are using an Au Pair through Go Au Pair and we’ve been very happy. The process to get the nanny here was smooth and so far we haven’t run into any issues. This is a great program and we have referred it to many of our friends with babies.Wenting GaoJune 30, 2023We have had the pleasure of working with GoAuPair as our au pair agency, and we are satisfied with the placement and the services they have provided. Throughout the process, Gina has been incredibly supportive, taking the time to explain contracts and terms to us. Judith has also been wonderful in following up with us and has been friendly and helpful. We have been hosting au pairs since our twins were born, and we have had the opportunity to welcome four au pairs from Mexico and China, with another one soon to arrive from Peru. In our experience, the price we pay when working with an au pair through GoAuPair (including agency fees and au pair fees) is quite reasonable compared to the hourly rates of local nannies. It's important to note that with this cost-saving, there is a trade-off. We have dedicated time to train our au pairs, help them with driving and familiarize them with the area. In some cases, we have also supported them in improving their English language skills if needed. Additionally, we provide our au pairs with full access to a car and a membership to Lifetime Athletic, an excellent country club. We encourage them to explore the area and make friends. In return, our au pairs have been exceptional with our children and have taught them valuable second languages, such as Chinese and Spanish. Thanks to our au pairs, our kids are now trilingual and have become globally-oriented, embracing new cultures and languages. This experience has also instilled in them a broader understanding of the concept of a global economy and vision. Hosting au pairs has brought many positive aspects to our family life, and we have received excellent services from GoAuPair throughout the process. We highly recommend their services to anyone considering hosting an au pair.Kathryn SchaefferMay 26, 2023Great experience with Go Au Pair! Responsive and easy to work with. Helpful in answering questions. Found a great au pair to join our family and would highly recommend!Aaron ThomasMay 24, 2023We had a wonderful experience with this Au pair agency. We enjoyed being involved with the search and selection of the au pair (a unique feature that sets them apart). We are also impressed with the exceptional customer service. Our coordinator has been prompt in answering all of our questions and any concerns. We are grateful for this agency and all the staff working hard behind the scenes to make this program possible, thank you!Zane AukeeMay 2, 2023We have had two au pairs placed by Go Au Pair. I would recommend them as they have an excellent variety of au pairs to connect with.Tom DudzicApril 19, 2023I have worked with several folks at Go Au Pair during my search process. They have all been well informed, respectful, responsive and a pleasure to work with. I would gladly recommend this agency to anyone in search of an Au PairKrystal AhmadMarch 28, 2023I started this process about 2 weeks ago and was able to find a match, but not without endless amount of time invested. For the most part the pricing is stated upfront so you know what you're getting into, however, the fees for the flight/travel are unable to be determined until that is booked. PROS: - The representatives that you work with are very nice and helpful - They create the contract with the cost out after you've extended an offer to an AuPair pretty quickly - There are lots of AuPairs to choose from and a couple new ones might be added each week - There isn't a local representative in my area so my local rep was almost across the country from me so they assigned 2 people to help me out. Having the support was fine. Totally fine but I got confused on who I address for certain things in the beginning. - Final costs are about an extra $500-$1000 than whats stated upfront due to travel costs, etc. - Overall we are very happy so far with the process and the representatives we've been working with are super sweet and kind. They can really help you out and try to be super available for you. We were happy with our reps. CONS: - There are a lot of emails with bits and pieces of information, the next steps are not detailed in the beginning so there is a lot of things not exactly clear, mainly detailed info on the entire process. This was frustrating but if you talk to your rep to clear it up you should be fine - Payment plan details should be shown upfront because a family needs to see if it's realistically affordable or compare their local childcare pricing prior to starting the search and investing so much time into it. However, I guess a family going this route for childcare might not be stressing over little costs here and there? Not sure - Travel fees/cost need to be elaborated/clear a bit more in the beginning of the processJH DENALIOctober 4, 2022There is a good selection of au pairs, and the search function makes it easy to find one that meets your needs. -ZaneJamie KJuly 7, 2022We HIGHLY recommend Go Au Pair (GAP). In the world of working parent guilt and a global pandemic, it really does take a village to raise children--but what does one do when one's village alternates quarantining and childcare is chaos. When we heard about the au pair program and began to research it, we knew it was our only hope, though we had many concerns. The first was what agency to choose--a huge agency? A small agency? We wondered what role our agency would play, and agonized over the choice. Ultimately, GAP provided terrific, high-quality, personalized service that clearly comes from their experience in the AP world and not being so enormous that they lose sight of their families and APs. We are a family, not just a number, to GAP. Our AP is such a very special young lady who is authentic, bright, and thoughtful. She is fantastic with children, and an extremely strong driver. With 3 very young boys, having a third adult is such an unbelievable help in our family. Our AP is leaving an unforgettable impression on our children and has made it so easy to be a working parent. We cannot thank GAP enough!Google rating score: 4.8 of 5,
based on 51 reviews
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 Pittsburgh, PA 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 Pittsburgh area choose an Au Pair that fits their specific family needs.
Local Area Representative in Pittsburgh
Go Au Pair has a Local Area Representative in Pittsburgh 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.
McKenzie Algaier
The areas I serve in Pennsylvania
I cover Pittsburgh, centered around The Point where the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers converge, boasts a wealth of parks and trails like Frick Park and Schenley Park. A short drive out of the city leads to natural retreats such as Ohiopyle and Cook Forest, perfect for camping and outdoor adventures. The city’s diverse culture is reflected in its vibrant shops and restaurants, showcasing European, Asian, South/Latin American, African, and Middle Eastern influences.
I have a lifelong passion for childcare, traveling, and engaging with different cultures. I lived in Cape Town, South Africa, from 2020-2022, teaching music education to children. Alongside my role as your LSC, I am building a life coaching and functional nutritional counseling business. I love the Au Pair program for its ability to create lasting bonds and mutual understanding between families and au pairs. Witnessing these connections flourish is truly rewarding, and I am committed to supporting both families and au pairs throughout their journey.
Our families come from various professional backgrounds, including self-employment, business ownership, healthcare, government, law, academia, technology, finance, and the arts. The children in our cluster range in age from infants to young school-age children, creating a dynamic and vibrant community. Our au pairs come from diverse backgrounds: at the moment we have au pairs from Ecuador, Russia, Colombia, Peru, and one who will join us from China in September. They enjoy art, nature, hands-on activities, adventure, exploring, and trying new things, making Pittsburgh a perfect place for their diverse interests.
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 McKenzie’s cluster has been up to recently!
We visited the Cultural District, exploring theaters, galleries, and public art installations. Au pairs enjoyed the rich artistic atmosphere and vibrant performances, offering a taste of Pittsburgh’s cultural heartbeat.
Held annually, this festival featured live music, art installations, and craft vendors. Au pairs loved the interactive art exhibits and diverse food stalls, providing a delightful way to engage with the local arts scene.
A trip to Phipps offered au pairs a peaceful retreat amid stunning botanical displays. They appreciated the educational tours and seasonal
flower shows, enhancing their appreciation for nature and horticulture.
We celebrated one of my Au Pairs birthday together.
Additional Resources for Families and Au Pairs in PIttsburgh, PA
In Pennsylvania, au pairs can use their international driver’s license for up to one year. For a state license, they must pass a written test, vision screening, and road test. It’s best to visit the Pennsylvania DMV website for detailed requirements and resources.
Pittsburgh’s public transit system, managed by the Port Authority, includes buses, the T light rail, and inclines. Au pairs typically rely on buses and the T for commuting. For schedules and routes, visit the Port Authority’s website.
Au pairs may also consider ride share and taxi services available in the city like Uber or Lyft.
Au Pairs need to complete their education requirement as part of their exchange program in the United States. Here are some places in Pittsburgh they may be able to enroll.
Most au pairs opt for three-day (weekend) courses where they can complete their hours in one weekend. These courses may be local or in other states, allowing au pairs to travel and explore more of the USA.
In Pittsburgh, community colleges and accredited universities offer options for international students to fulfill their educational requirements by credit or audit.
University of Pittsburgh-Offers a variety of continuing education courses. Popular classes among au pairs include English as a Second Language (ESL) and professional development workshops.
Carnegie Mellon University-Known for its arts and technology courses, au pairs often enroll in creative writing and computer science classes.
Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC)-CCAC provides flexible and affordable educational options, including weekend courses that are ideal for au pairs. Courses cover a wide range of subjects, from language classes to professional development.
An Au Pair will need to get a Social Security # before getting a bank account and driver’s license. Go Au Pair will provide a welcome packet with social security information, on the Au Pairs arrival. We advise Au Pairs to wait 10 days after arrival to get their social security number. You can make an appointment at a social security office, closest to your home.
Child-Friendly Activities for Au Pairs and Host Families
Au Pairs will find that Pittsburgh 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 exhibits on dinosaurs, ancient cultures, and wildlife. A favorite for families due to its interactive displays and educational programs.
Home to diverse animal species and aquatic life. Ideal for a fun and educational day out with children.
An amusement park with rides and attractions for all ages. Known for its historic wooden coasters and family-friendly atmosphere.
Interactive exhibits encourage learning through play. Perfect for younger children and a fun way to spend an afternoon.
Point State Park
A scenic spot at the meeting point of Pittsburgh’s three rivers, offering trails, historical landmarks, and beautiful views. Great for family picnics and outdoor activities.
Ohiopyle State Park
Just a short drive from Pittsburgh, Ohiopyle offers camping, hiking, white-water rafting, and stunning natural scenery, making it an ideal spot for weekend getaways.
Cook Forest State Park
Known for its ancient trees and serene camping spots, Cook Forest provides a perfect escape into nature with plenty of trails and outdoor activities.