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Original poster

Au pair start dates

3 replies

Red2003 · 14/01/2013 13:03

Just wanted to ask you all what time of year your au pairs start - I've always had them start in July once school has broken up so that they have time to get to know the children before getting into the school routine in September. I have german au pairs and this fits in well with their academic year.
However, my current au pair has just told me she wants to go home mid June - the original understanding was that she stay until July. Her language school exmamin June and I suspect that as she will have got all she needs here she wants to go home (she has a boyfriend and is basically in Germany every 6-8 weeks for one thing or another (yes a bit of a sore point with me)).
If I have an au pair start in June - will this make it more difficult to get people for June next time?

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fraktion · 14/01/2013 18:11

You might find a Uni student who would do the summer? We had a fab one to cover our house move.

I think most au pairs coming from school wouldn't be through with exams and university would depends on the country.

fedupwithdeployment · 14/01/2013 16:48

We had one AP who had to leave at short notice in early June (relief - she wasn't very good), and we got a brilliant AP over the summer. It was only for 3 months, but she was one of the best we have had. I know we had to go through the whole process again in Sept, but I didn't mind. Perhaps that is something you might consider?

We usually finish early Aug to go on holiday, then the new one starts in early Sept. Ideally to last a year.

We have had a couple of mid year starts, and while it is extra hassle, actually it has worked out pretty well. You do get less choice though.

Brightonite · 14/01/2013 14:31

I have always had au pairs start in the summer. However I had one girl who had to return home suddenly and I didn't struggle to get a replacement. You could try and take someone on who would do the year plus the extra few weeks - depends whether you do an au pair hand over or not. I found this quite useful. Good luck!