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General Questions

An au pair is typically a young person from another country who lives with a host family and provides childcare and light housework in exchange for room, board, and a cultural exchange experience. Au pairs are considered part of the family, and they help with daily tasks such as taking care of children, helping with household chores, and assisting with language learning. This role offers the au pair the opportunity to experience life in a new country, improve language skills, and explore cultural differences.

A host family is a family that invites an au pair into their home to provide care and support for their children. In exchange, the host family offers accommodation, meals, and sometimes a stipend or allowance. The host family values the cultural exchange with the au pair, and they often help the au pair integrate into the local community. Host families typically seek an au pair to assist with childcare and household tasks, while also providing a welcoming and supportive environment for the au pair.

The ideal length of an au pair stay depends on the country’s regulations and the needs of the host family. In most countries, au pair programs are designed for 6–12 months, with the possibility of an extension in some cases.

  • Standard Stay: Most countries require a minimum stay of 6 months, and many prefer 12 months to ensure stability for both the au pair and the host family.
  • Possible Extensions: Some countries allow au pairs to extend their stay beyond the initial period, often up to 24 months.
  • Short-Term Stays (3+ Months): A few countries accept short-term au pairs for at least 3 months, but this is less common and depends on visa policies.

 

If you’re looking for a stay shorter than 3 months, a traditional au pair arrangement may not be the right fit. However, Cross Exchange offers a great alternative! It’s a Christian work exchange platform where travelers can stay with host families in exchange for volunteering.

👉 Discover Cross Exchange

Christian Au Pair Network (CAPN)

The Christian Au Pair Network (CAPN) is an online platform designed to connect Christian au pairs and host families directly. Our goal is to create meaningful connections based on shared values while allowing both parties to take full control of their arrangements. The platform provides an alternative to traditional agencies by offering a simplified, cost-effective process for both au pairs and host families.

Unlike traditional agencies, CAPN removes the middleman, offering more freedom and control. You connect directly with others who share your Christian values, and we focus on matching people while leaving legal and visa matters to the appropriate authorities and expert organizations. Additionally, we offer lower costs and more flexible options for au pairs and host families compared to traditional agencies.

While we operate outside the traditional agency model, we’re also exploring collaborations with agencies to create a more streamlined process for users who may want to benefit from both systems.

Yes! Christian Au Pair Network is available worldwide, wherever it is legally possible to be an au pair. However, au pair regulations vary by country, so it’s important to check local laws and visa requirements before making arrangements.

Christian Au Pair Network offers three membership levels to suit different needs:

  • Basic Membership – Free to join and search for members. However, messaging is restricted, and verification is not included.
  • Premium Membership – Unlocks full messaging access, optional free verification, and boosts trust and credibility. This is a one-time fee membership with no subscription.
  • Custom Membership – For those who need personalized solutions beyond our standard offerings. Contact us for a tailored quote based on your specific needs.

Each membership level is designed to provide flexibility while ensuring a safe and simple experience for au pairs and host families.

We prioritize security with SSL encryption and manual document verification. We do not store verification documents after the process is completed.

  • Basic and premium profiles are deleted after 365 days of inactivity.
  • Matched profiles are deleted after 455 days of inactivity.

Premium Membership

The Premium Membership on CAPN is designed for users who want full access to the platform’s features, including the ability to start conversations and gain higher visibility. Premium membership is a one-time payment for 6 months, with no recurring fees, and it unlocks additional features and benefits.

  1. Complete Your Profile – Ensure your profile is fully filled out, including all required details and a well-written “Dear Au Pair” or “Dear Host Family” letter. This helps other members get to know you better and increases your chances of finding a great match.
  2. Request Premium Membership – Once your profile is complete, you can request an upgrade to premium. The request will be manually reviewed to confirm that all required information is included.
  3. Receive Payment Instructions – After approval, you will receive a payment link via platform chat. Payments are processed securely through Stripe Checkout.
  4. Make the Payment – Pay the one-time fee, there are no automatic renewals.
  5. Get Upgraded to Premium – Once the payment is confirmed, your account will be manually upgraded to premium status, unlocking full messaging access and optional free verification.
  6. Enjoy Your Benefits – Your premium membership lasts 6 months and allows you to connect with other verified members, increasing your chances of finding a suitable au pair or host family.
  • Complete Profile – All fields must be filled out, including your full name, nationality, preferred country, and birth date.
  • Profile Picture – A clear and appropriate profile photo if possible.
  • Descriptive “Dear Au Pair” / “Dear Host Family” Letter – Write a meaningful introduction that explains who you are, what you’re looking for, and what you can offer in a cultural exchange. This helps potential matches get to know you better.

Only members who meet these requirements will be eligible to receive the payment link for Premium membership.

  • Unlock full messaging access – Start and reply to conversations without restrictions. Basic members can only reply to messages from Premium users.
  • Unlock optional free verification – Get verified at no extra cost by submitting a criminal record and a church leader’s recommendation.
  • Gain trust and credibility – Stand out with a Premium badge, making it easier to connect with serious and reliable members.
  • One-time fee, no subscription – Pay once for 6 months of Premium access with no automatic renewals.

Yes, premium membership is required in order to complete the verification process on CAPN. Once you become a premium member, you can submit your documents for manual review. Upon approval, you will be eligible to receive a verified badge and access the full communication features of the platform.

Premium membership lasts for 6 months from the date of activation. It is a one-time fee with no subscription or automatic renewal. After 6 months, you will need to manually renew if you wish to continue enjoying premium benefits.

Verification

No, verification is optional, but recommended.

  1. Register and upgrade to Premium – Before submitting your documents for verification, you must become a premium member.
  2. Submit verification documents – After upgrading, submit your verification documents for review.
  3. Admin review – Our admin will manually review your documents.
  4. Payment link – If approved, you will receive a Stripe payment link.
  5. Verification – Once payment is made, your profile will be updated to verified.
  • For au pairs: A criminal record extract and a letter of recommendation from a church leader
  • For host families: A criminal record extract for all adults in the household and a letter of recommendation from a church leader.
  • Verified Badge – Show others you’re trustworthy.
  • Higher Visibility – Appear more in search results.
  • Safer Matches – Fewer fake profiles and scams.
  • Manual Review – Documents checked for authenticity.
  • Lasts forever – Stay verified until your profile is deleted.

Verification lasts forever or until your profile is deleted.

If you create a new profile after deletion, the verification process needs to be redone.

Communication

You can contact us here.

No, personal contact details are only visible to the admin. You can freely share your contact information in the chat, but it’s crucial to be cautious about who you share your information with, especially if the user is not verified.

  • Only premium users can start conversations.
  • Basic users can reply but not initiate chats.
  • The chat is moderated to ensure a safe and secure interaction.

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