Boston – November 06, 2026 -- Eligible first-time host families with a military or veteran background can now get $1,500 off the cost of an au pair through Cultural Care Au Pair. The company says this is the largest military and veteran discount among designated sponsors of the State Department-regulated au pair program.
One in eight host families is military-affiliated
Nearly one in eight au pair host families has a military connection. Au pairs can work outside traditional 9-5 hours and on weekends, and their schedules can be adjusted week to week. They can also move with their host family, which helps keep childcare consistent for children whose parents receive new orders.
Childcare ranks as a top stressor for service families
The source cites several figures on the childcare squeeze:
- 41% of active duty men and 59% of active duty women see childcare as a work necessity.
- 25% of women in active duty cite childcare shortages as a reason they could leave the military.
- A 2025 survey ranked childcare as the fourth largest stressor for active duty families.
- In that survey, two-thirds of respondents named long daycare wait lists as a leading concern.
"Childcare shouldn't be a challenge standing between military families and their service to this nation," said Natalie Jordan, Senior Vice President at Cultural Care Au Pair. She added that an au pair offers steady support when schedules shift weekly or deployment orders arrive.
Au pairs live with families for one to two years
Au pairs are young people who come to the United States on a specialized cultural exchange visa. They live with an American family for a year and can extend to two years if they comply with program requirements. In return for help with childcare and child-related household tasks, they receive a weekly stipend, room and board, and up to $500 toward classes at American universities. They can also improve their English and travel within the U.S.
Three requirements apply to the discount
To qualify, families must provide proof of service or employment, be new to Cultural Care, and commit to a hosting term of at least 26 weeks. Cultural Care also offers discounts for first responder and educator families.