Find your perfect au pair
Global Au Pair connects US host families with qualified South African graduates for 12–24 month placements. Tell us a little about your family and what you're looking for — we'll be in touch within two weeks to discuss next steps.
Warm-hearted, highly capable.
South Africa produces exceptional childcare candidates: university-educated, English-speaking, and deeply community-oriented.
Every candidate we place is personally interviewed, reference-checked, and vetted for childcare experience — most have grown up in large extended families and started caring for younger children early.
You get a young adult who is adaptable, respectful, and genuinely excited to be part of your household for the long haul.
A calm, considered matching process.
Tell us about your family
Share your household, children's ages, schedule, travel patterns, and what a great au pair looks like for you. A short call to understand the fit.
Curated introductions
We hand-pick two to four candidates whose personality, experience, and life stage fit your family — full profiles, video intros, and references.
Match, place, support
Once you've chosen, we manage paperwork, travel logistics, and arrival. You have a dedicated point of contact throughout the placement.
Host family logistics
- 1Apply & tell us what you need — share your family's schedule, ages of your children, and preferences.
- 2We match you by hand — we search South African candidates against your profile; you're never routed through a shared roster.
- 3Meet & confirm — video interviews with your shortlist, then a firm match once both sides say yes.
- 4Sponsor & visa paperwork — your recommended sponsor issues the DS-2019 and SEVIS registration; your au pair completes their visa application and embassy interview.
- 5Arrival & training — your au pair completes pre-departure and in-country safety and child development training before starting.
- 6A supported placement year — monthly check-ins for the full 12 months, with extension options after.
Everything you'd want in one placement.
Vetted candidates
In-person interviews, reference checks, background checks, and childcare experience verified before we ever introduce them to you.
Visa & logistics
We coordinate visa paperwork, travel, and arrival. Most candidates already hold or are eligible for US authorization.
Dedicated support
A single point of contact for you and your au pair throughout the placement — for the small things and the big ones.
Rematch guarantee
In the rare case a match isn't right, we work with you on a replacement candidate at no additional agency fee.
Warmth, clarity, and space.
A private bedroom for your au pair (private bathroom preferred), meals with the family, and a clear weekly schedule with guaranteed days off.
A fair monthly stipend, health insurance, and travel costs when they accompany you on trips. Most host families budget similarly to a full-time nanny — with the added benefit of a live-in family member.
Above all: treat your au pair as part of the family. That's what makes these placements work.
The real cost comparison: nanny vs. au pair
The honest version, with the caveats included — because a placement that surprises you later isn't a good deal, whichever option you choose.
| — | Full-time nanny (national average) | Au pair via Global Au Pair |
|---|---|---|
| Typical all-in annual cost | $55,000–$65,000+/year nationally once required employer payroll taxes (~10–12%) and basic benefits are added to gross wages; often $85,000–$125,000+ in high-cost metros (NYC, SF, LA) | ≈ $28,229/year, all-in |
| Posted hourly rate | $22–$32/hr depending on market, before taxes and benefits | Flat weekly cost regardless of hours worked, up to the legal cap |
| Hours included | Defined schedule; 1.5x overtime required by law past 40 hrs/week | Up to 45 hrs/week included in the cost above |
| Live-in or live-out | Live-out, in most placements | Live-in |
| Employer responsibilities | You're the employer of record — the payroll tax, filings, and workers' comp in the total above are yours to administer | No nanny-style payroll setup required (confirm your specific tax treatment with an accountant) |
| What's not in the number | Backup care, agency placement fees if you used one, annual raises | Room, board, car access, and phone — required, but varies by household |
Once payroll taxes and benefits are factored in — not just the posted hourly rate — a full-time nanny typically costs $55,000-$65,000+ a year nationally, and a Global Au Pair placement runs roughly 50-55% less than that (sources below). In high-cost metro areas, where nanny costs commonly reach $85,000-$125,000+, the gap widens to roughly 65-75% less. It's not a perfect apples-to-apples comparison: a nanny's live-out schedule may suit some households better, and an au pair's room and board is a real cost your family carries directly. But for families who need genuine full-time coverage, the savings involved are substantial either way.
Nanny figures blend Care.com's 2026 Cost of Care Report (posted hourly rates) with Poppins Payroll's and Beverly.io's 2026 all-in cost data (wages plus required employer payroll tax and benefits). Au pair figure: Global Au Pair + Cultural Care Au Pair estimated Year 1 total. Both are national estimates provided for planning purposes — actual costs vary by state, household, and family circumstances.
Hear from our community.
"We were looking for an enthusiastic, hard-working au pair who is a keen caregiver and explorer. Global Au Pair matched us with Georgie H., who pitched in with extra tasks around the house and spent time playing with the kids, showing compassion and adaptability while she was with us. Looking forward to continuing working with Global Au Pair for future au pairs!"
Katherine S.
Host Parent
"We love Jodi! She's a perfect fit for our family and we truly can't imagine a better match. We're already dreading when she has to go back home and hope we can continue seeing her and having her in Lyora's life for years to come! Thank you Global Au Pair for an incredible match!"
Julia
Host Parent
Ready to meet your next au pair?
Tell us about your family — we typically respond within two business days.
Our host family application lives on Google Forms — a few short questions about your family and what you're looking for.
Open the host family form →Takes about 5 minutes. Opens in a new tab.