Meet Ida: 2025 Au Pair of the Year finalists from Heidenheim

Each year, the Au Pair of the Year contest highlights the incredible individuals who leave lasting impacts on their host families and bring the magic of cultural exchange to life. Being a great au pair goes beyond providing childcare—it means sharing your language and traditions, while also learning about the USA and stepping outside of your comfort zone.

This year, we’re excited to share that Ida, au pair from Heidenheim, has been named as a finalist in Cultural Care’s Au Pair of the Year competition. Out of over 350 nominees, Ida stands out as an exemplary caregiver and role model, and a leader within the au pair community. Ida has not only shared her German culture with her host family, she’s also embraced new American holidays and customs.

This is what her host family has to say about Ida:

“Although becoming an Au Pair was a major life switch, Ida has embraced it. Specific to our family, Ida has become an important member of our family. Both host parents work demanding jobs, as a corporate attorney and CFO. Ida has been a source of reliability and trust in our team (we always say we’re a team)!

Early on in Ida’s term, Ida took the time to build a bond with our three-year-old twins. One specific instance that stands out, was when we were on vacation in Europe during the summer. Ida shared with us that she truly loved the girls. While telling us this she had tears of joy in her eyes. It was not just this one distinct moment, but many many moments that led to the joy and love we also have for her.

The moments like Ida soothing an “Ouchy” to make it feel better and fist-bumping with the girls is something we have witnessed with joy. Not only that, but her Spotify playlist and dance parties with the girls will always be memorable! Toddlers can be unpredictable with tantrums, messes, and needing constant watching. Ida has handled the great moments and the not so great moments (like potty training and swim lessons) with positivity and determination. She is always in great spirits which the girls feed off!

Ida’s maturity and impeccable memory helps us to manage day-to-day effectively and I don’t think we could have done it without her! In addition, it is not just us who feel this way. The gymnastics instructor and other childcare providers have shared with us how great Ida interacts with and cares for the girls.

Furthermore, as a German-American household, Ida embraced teaching our girls German – she solely speaks German with them. For us, this has been the biggest part of the cultural exchange. She has also shared tasty German chocolates with us, reads German books to the kids, and made meals like Käsespätzle for our family.

Although Ida has been to the U.S. prior to her the start of the Au Pair program, we have been able to see St. Augustine, FL, Disney World, Paw Patrol Live in Ft. Lauderdale, visit Peppa Pig World, and travel to Europe together.

Over the past ten months we have seen Ida grow as a person. She has built a community in South Florida through attending LCC meetings and connecting with local Au Pairs. We have admired Ida’s effort to meet with local and visiting Au Pairs during her time here, as well as go on trips to explore the U.S. with these Au Pairs.

Ida has embodied every aspect of the Au Pair program, including becoming a Cultural Care Ambassador, and is an exceptional candidate for this award. ”

—Jessica Cahill, host mom in CA

Ida has helped her host family thrive during her time with them in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. But she’s reaped many benefits of the program as well! Au pairs leave their experience with stronger English skills, international work experience, friends from all over the world and an American family for life!