Au Pair of the Year Award

The IAPA Au Pair of the Year Award

This contest recognizes outstanding young individuals in au pair programs around the world by shining a spotlight on their contributions and promoting awareness of this meaningful cultural exchange. It’s also a fantastic chance to feature IAPA member organizations!

The Winner´s Prize

Also this year, the contest will be video-only! We loved the creative, compelling videos from last year’s participants, which truly brought the au pair experience to life. We’re inviting au pairs to make their own video submissions, so they don’t need to be nominated by a host family to enter. By sharing their perspectives, au pairs can highlight the unique cultural exchange that makes this program special.

Please remember: au pairs and host families must submit their videos to their placing agency or sponsor, who can select and forward up to two nominations to us!

Contest Procedure

Please read carefully

1. 1. IAPA member “receiving” agencies should invite au pairs and host families to submit a video featuring a deserving au pair to your organization.
2. 2. The receiving agency/sponsor then reviews the entries and selects their top two entries which they then submit to IAPA by using our online application form
3. 3. Please note that both, – sending and receiving agency – must be members of IAPA.
4. 4. The deadline to submit the entries was 30 January 2026, 23:59 CET.
5. 5. IAPA staff will review the videos and entries to verify eligibility and request missing information or documents.
6. 6. Eligible entries will be submitted to our jury who will select the winner and runner-up.
7. 7. The IAPA member agencies who submitted the winner and runner-up will be notified by IAPA.
8. 8. IAPA will make travel arrangements for the winning au pair to the next   WETM-IAC event to receive the award (subject to availability). Therefore, please make sure in advance whether travel will be possible with regards to the au pair´s visa status or obligation towards the host family.

Please note that we do not announce the winner before the ceremony.

What are the requirements?

We´re looking for compelling, unique stories of cultural exchange experiences, personal growth, integration in a family, culture, language, community.

1. Content: How did the au pair integrate, overcome challenges, and experience cultural exchange. What are they doing to make the best of their time abroad? How did the au pair make a difference in the family’s life?
2. Creativity: Everything is possible, but it is important that the video wasn’t created by the agency or their professional staff.
3. Legal compliance: Ensure that the entry is in compliance with all the legal and copyright requirements.
4. Consent: Everyone featured in videos entered is to sign the consent form. If someone doesn’t consent – including parents on behalf of their children – please take sure to edit the video accordingly.
5. Neutrality: To ensure our jury can make an unbiased decision, please avoid mentioning or sharing the names of any placing or sending agencies in the video. The company names and further data will be provided to us via the application form.
6. Language: IAPA accepts registrations in any language. However, for judging purposes, all videos should have English subtitle
7. Technical requirements:
   • Videos must be in mp4 or mov format and no larger than 3 GB
   • Music can be added, however, please make sure that you are allowed to use the music. As a resource for royalty-free music for videos you can use Youtube Music Library or any other resource that offers royalty free music.
   • Make sure to check whether you need to mention the source of music in your video and do so, if required. The same applies for  stock photos or videos used.

Please read the full Terms and Conditions and also inform your au pairs and host families about the rules and regulations. Make sure to have them sign photo and video release forms that allow us to use their content.

Our Winner 2026 – Jemimah Waceke Mwithiga, Kenya

This year, we were delighted to award Jemimah Waceke Mwithiga from Kenya the title of 2026 IAPA Au Pair of the Year. She was nominated by her Danish host family, the Enevoldsens, who admired her courage in embracing the cultural exchange adventure.

Affectionately known as “Mimah,” she quickly bonded with the children and host parents, seamlessly adapting to Danish culture and mastering the Danish language while enriching the family’s life with her vibrant Kenyan spirit and traditions.

The cultural exchange experience was sometimes overwhelming for Mimah, with so much to learn and understand. Yet, she embraced every challenge with her infectious positivity. She attended Danish language classes, excelling in all with top grades, and formed lasting friendships through these courses. Above all, she cherished the deep bond she built with her host family, who supported her at every step.

Mimah is now thriving as an au pair with a family in the Netherlands, adding even more languages and cultures to her growing repertoire of experiences. At the conference, she instantly won over attendees with her kind, warm, and joyful personality.

Congratulations, Mimah! We wish you all the best for your future. We have no doubt you have a bright path ahead.

Jemimah was placed by Danish agency Aupairagent.

You can watch the video about Jemimah and her host family here on YouTube