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 31 January 2025, 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 bring 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 2025 – Isabella Foster, UK

This year, we were delighted to award Isabella Foster from the UK the title of IAPA Au Pair of the Year. She was nominated by her U.S. host family, the Brights, who share an unbreakable bond with her. To them, Issy will always be part of their family. Caroline Bright, her host mother, describes Issy as the younger sister she always wished for.

Issy fully embraced her cultural exchange experience in every way—she explored new foods, attended concerts and cultural events, and, most importantly, supported her host family through challenging times. When her host father was away for five months and her host mother was pregnant, Issy stepped up, providing invaluable help with the family’s three small children. As a testament to their deep connection, the Brights honored Issy by naming her the godmother of their youngest child, Birdie, forever tying her to their family.

But this bond extends beyond Issy and her host family. Over time, the Brights and the Fosters have visited each other, forming a true transatlantic family—a perfect example of how the au pair experience creates lifelong relationships across borders.

Placing agencies was US sponsor Cultural Care Au Pair

You can watch the video about Issy and her host family here.