On this day in 1986, Au Pair in America welcomed the first group of au pairs to the U.S. That first group of au pairs arrived from western Europe to provide child care, to study and to experience life in the United States firsthand. They participated in the pilot program for what has developed into the Au Pair program of the U.S. Department of State.
Much has changed since the first group of au pairs arrived; political boundaries have been redrawn, governments have restructured and technology has exploded. What hasn’t changed is the human interaction and cultural exchange on a personal level that is unique to au pair child care.
Three decades later, Au Pair in America is established as the nation’s oldest au pair agency. We began in the age of landlines and now thrive in the age of smartphones.
To date, more than 100,000 international au pairs have journeyed to the United States with Au Pair in America. In 2016, au pair exchange continues to be an opportunity to find reliable child care for American families, and Au Pair in America applicants come from nearly 60 countries.
We are committed to remaining the #1 trusted source of au pairs for families across the U.S. — through hard work and dedication to the merits of combined cultural exchange and child care. As we look ahead to the next thirty years, our au pairs and families should continue to expect the best service and support available.
Click here to view our 30th Anniversary video, where our staff share their memories of the program and look at the future!
Thank you to everyone at Au Pair in America, the U.S. government, host families and au pairs around the world that have made the past thirty years such a resounding success!
