Au Pair Jobs for OPT Students
Au pair jobs on OPT let you work legally as a live-in childcare provider while maintaining your F-1 status. Most positions are with host families and count as practical training in early childhood education or related fields. Your OPT work authorization must match your degree field for the role to qualify.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Bring your babysitter, camp counselor, or teacher experience to Bright Horizons at Home as a Part Time In-Home Child Caregiver. Be fulfilled as you make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families every day and build a schedule that fits your life – daytime and overnight positions are available.
Responsibilities:
- Care for infant to school-aged children in their own homes – no transporting kids or household chores required
- Engage children in hands-on activities tailored to their interests and needs
- Ensure the safety and well-being of children in your care
QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must pass required state and company background checks, and meet state and company minimum education and experience requirements:
- 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED is required
- Reliable transportation and a cell phone is required
- At least 1 year of child care experience outside of friends and family is required
- Experience with children of all ages from infant to 12 years old is required
- A cell phone in good working order and reliable transportation is required
Physical Requirements:
This position requires the employee to comply with all applicable federal, state, local, and Bright Horizons’ requirements concerning immunizations, employment physical/screening, and health and safety training. If hired, you will work in person to provide supervision, care, curriculum delivery and services per Bright Horizons’ policies, procedures and guidance, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations, and in a manner that will ensure the safety of children in Bright Horizons care and the employee.
The full set of physical requirements for this role can be reviewed at https://careers.brighthorizons.com/job-descriptions. Bright Horizons complies with all laws that require reasonable accommodations for qualifying disabilities and/or pregnancy-related limitations.
This position requires in-person work in the Augusta, GA area.
COMPENSATION:
The hourly rate for this position is between $15.00 – $16.00 per hour. The pay range listed here is what Bright Horizons in good faith anticipates offering for this job opening. Actual compensation offers within this range will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education and training, certifications, geography, and other relevant business or organizational factors.
BENEFITS:
Bright Horizons offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
- Horizons CDA Program
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Tuition assistance
- Bright Horizons Family Concierge
- Money-saving benefits through our Bright Horizons Benefits Market
- Dependent care Flexible Spending Account
- Education coaching
- Spring Health Employee Assistance Program
- Fitness center discounts
- Employee Referral Bonus program
DEADLINE TO APPLY:
Bright Horizons is accepting applications for this role on an ongoing basis.
Bright Horizons provides equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Bright Horizons complies with the laws and regulations described in the following federal government resources: Know Your Rights, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).
If you require assistance or a reasonable accommodation in completing these application materials or any aspect of the application and hiring process, please contact the recruitment helpdesk at 855-877-6866 or bhrecruit@brighthorizons.com. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
INTRODUCTION
Bring your babysitter, camp counselor, or teacher experience to Bright Horizons at Home as a Part Time In-Home Child Caregiver. Be fulfilled as you make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families every day and build a schedule that fits your life – daytime and overnight positions are available.
Responsibilities:
- Care for infant to school-aged children in their own homes – no transporting kids or household chores required
- Engage children in hands-on activities tailored to their interests and needs
- Ensure the safety and well-being of children in your care
QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must pass required state and company background checks, and meet state and company minimum education and experience requirements:
- 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED is required
- Reliable transportation and a cell phone is required
- At least 1 year of child care experience outside of friends and family is required
- Experience with children of all ages from infant to 12 years old is required
- A cell phone in good working order and reliable transportation is required
Physical Requirements:
This position requires the employee to comply with all applicable federal, state, local, and Bright Horizons’ requirements concerning immunizations, employment physical/screening, and health and safety training. If hired, you will work in person to provide supervision, care, curriculum delivery and services per Bright Horizons’ policies, procedures and guidance, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations, and in a manner that will ensure the safety of children in Bright Horizons care and the employee.
The full set of physical requirements for this role can be reviewed at https://careers.brighthorizons.com/job-descriptions. Bright Horizons complies with all laws that require reasonable accommodations for qualifying disabilities and/or pregnancy-related limitations.
This position requires in-person work in the Augusta, GA area.
COMPENSATION:
The hourly rate for this position is between $15.00 – $16.00 per hour. The pay range listed here is what Bright Horizons in good faith anticipates offering for this job opening. Actual compensation offers within this range will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education and training, certifications, geography, and other relevant business or organizational factors.
BENEFITS:
Bright Horizons offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
- Horizons CDA Program
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Tuition assistance
- Bright Horizons Family Concierge
- Money-saving benefits through our Bright Horizons Benefits Market
- Dependent care Flexible Spending Account
- Education coaching
- Spring Health Employee Assistance Program
- Fitness center discounts
- Employee Referral Bonus program
DEADLINE TO APPLY:
Bright Horizons is accepting applications for this role on an ongoing basis.
Bright Horizons provides equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Bright Horizons complies with the laws and regulations described in the following federal government resources: Know Your Rights, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).
If you require assistance or a reasonable accommodation in completing these application materials or any aspect of the application and hiring process, please contact the recruitment helpdesk at 855-877-6866 or bhrecruit@brighthorizons.com. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Au Pair
Confirm your degree field aligns with the role
Au pair work qualifies under OPT only if your degree relates to early childhood education, family studies, or a closely connected field. Confirm this alignment with your DSO before accepting any position to protect your OPT status.
Get your employment details in writing
Host families are not formal employers, so request a signed offer letter detailing your duties, schedule, and living arrangement. Your DSO will need documentation of your employment to update your records accurately and on time.
Report your job to your DSO within 10 days
Federal regulations require OPT students to report new employment to their DSO within 10 days of starting. Delayed reporting can create compliance issues that jeopardize your current OPT authorization and any future immigration benefits.
Clarify your live-in arrangement and work hours
Au pair roles often include room and board, which affects how total compensation is structured. Confirm weekly hours are capped appropriately, since OPT requires maintaining lawful nonimmigrant status throughout your authorized employment period.
Understand the unemployment day limit on OPT
Standard OPT allows a maximum of 90 days of unemployment. STEM OPT reduces this to 150 days total. Gaps between host family placements count toward this limit, so plan transitions carefully to avoid falling out of status.
Browse roles through Migrate Mate to find OPT-compatible placements
Not every au pair listing is open to OPT students. Migrate Mate filters for positions where employers understand work authorization requirements, saving you time and reducing the risk of applying where your status will not be accepted.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does au pair work qualify for OPT authorization?
It can, but only if your degree field relates to the work. Au pair roles typically qualify under fields like early childhood education, child development, or family and consumer sciences. If your degree is in an unrelated field, the position likely does not satisfy OPT's requirement that employment be directly related to your major area of study.
Is a host family considered a valid OPT employer?
Yes. A host family qualifies as an employer for OPT purposes as long as the arrangement is a legitimate employment relationship. You should receive documentation of your duties and schedule, and your DSO must be notified of the placement. Volunteer or informal arrangements without compensation do not satisfy OPT employment requirements.
How do I find au pair jobs open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the recommended place to search. Most general job listings do not specify OPT compatibility, which means you can spend significant time applying only to find the host family cannot work with your visa status. Migrate Mate focuses on employers and families who are aware of work authorization requirements for international students.
Can I work as an au pair on STEM OPT extension?
Generally, no. STEM OPT requires employment with an E-Verify enrolled employer and in a role directly tied to a STEM-designated degree. Au pair work with a private host family almost never meets these requirements. If your undergraduate STEM degree got you into a related graduate program, consult your DSO about whether any exception applies to your specific situation.
What happens if my host family placement ends before my OPT expires?
You enter an unemployment period that counts against your 90-day limit for standard OPT. You can seek a new qualifying placement during this time, but you must stay within the limit. If you exceed 90 cumulative days of unemployment before finding another role, your OPT authorization is automatically terminated and you fall out of F-1 status.
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