Has anyone used Au Pair World?

Anyone else in the midst of this torrid process? Honestly - "We cannot consider au pair couples" seems to have been interpreted as "Au Pair couples only." It's really quite bizarre. I can understand if we weren't drawing candidates because au pairs just didn't like the look of us for some reason, or what we were offering. But to actually completely ignore something stated on the profile and then go into a detailed explanation of why their suitable.

I was actually sent a message with another person's name at the top just now, making reference to how great it would be to be in a bilingual family (we aren't.)

Anyone else found a decent alternative to this outfit? The agency I used, back in the day, has shut.

My dd found an au pair position in Spain recently using au pair world. The family she chose put her through a fairly detailed vetting process (and quite rightly too). The family also held discussions with me to find out more about dd's background which I did not mind. The only issue dd has had was that the family did not let her know that one of the children has aspergers and has extreme behavior problems. That said, the family are very kind to dd and have done all that they can to make her feel settled and supported and she will see out her contract.

Dd speaks Spanish fluently and had a lot of interest on au pair world but did not choose a family offering the plushest home, highest pay, gym membership and other frills, but made her choice based on how well she got on with the family. Dh and I plus dd2 have been to see dd and host family this weekend and I can see that she has made the right choice.

BLUESHOES - me too please.
Tks

BLUESHOES, can I also please have the question list.. thanks in advance..

Hi, I am also just going through the process of looking for an au pair too.. this is our first time and we have signed up to Au Pair World.
Can I also please have some ideas on questions to ask.. it is definitely quiet over whelming.. thanks for your help ladies. x

I missed Mellissande's post - yy to asking questions about experience of travel and how they will feel far from home, and all the other things she said

Ive used this site twice over the years and always had APs who stay at least a year. I ask all the usual questions (I think Blue has these covered) and also have a rule that anyone we interview has to want to stay at least a year (evidenced by their career/education plans) and also that they have an interest in working and being with children, and living as part of a family. Sounds so obvious but amazing how many are not remotely interested in kids, not even pretending to be so and just looking for an easy option to live well in London and learn English, these are not the ones I want around my children if possible.

We live in zone 2 in London, and I always put this fact in the first lines of the profile, have been inundated with applications each time. I pay £100 per week, plus phone/data package and 8 weeks holiday. 25 hours per week. I have a written contract so that all expectations are clear when they start, which is really important.

Our current AP is moving out this year (she's staying in London though and has trained to be a TA at college while she's been with us) and we will be extremely sad to see her move out, we've become very close in the 2 years she's been here.

Blueshoes, just joined. Any chance of getting your list of questions please?

Hi Blueshoes can I also jump on the bandwagon and ask for your questions?

I've always gone through an agency previously but am wondering if there's any merit in going direct to source.

Blueshoes I would also love to get the list of questions! I've just started looking for our first aupair on aupair world!

Had a good experience with au pair world - we were looking for an au pair for some time to look after the youngest of our four boys. Went through agencies and all they wanted to do was fill their rolls and charge us for it ..not impressed - with au pair world and some others out there you are in control and can do the vetting and alot of the time FIRST IMPRESSIONS last - take time out to look on it as as filling a full time job - reviewing a CV and then talking on SKYPE to get a feel for them. It all worked out well for us in the end and I have taken time to put a site together with our experiences - in particular on Au Pair world see here www.aupairrant.com/what-is-au-pair-world-is-it-the-world-they-live-in-or-just-a-website-our-experience/ take some points from it.

Hi Blueshoes, please can you PM your aupair questions list. I am desperately looking for a replacement aupair. thanks

Thank you very much Melissande - what you say makes perfect sense, I will just make sure I'm very thorough (I'm pregnant so don't trust my instincts at the moment :-)

I askalot of questions about themselves, interessts, music, films, hobbies. Its important that you think about if you like this person and if you are gelling as a family. Your au pair will become a close friend so if you dont feel you are finding a commection then its probably not a good match.
Gut instinct is usually right. Trust it.
Ask if they have travelled alone before. You are looking for independence and a spot of adventure.
Look at the questions they ask you. A good candidate will have thought this through and will ask about mobiles, insurance, the area, other aupairs, and ask questions about the children.
Ask about their family. Are they close to parents /siblings? An older sibling is a better choice than a youngest sibling /only child. An oldest in a sibling group will have built in skills that an only child will lack in. Look at the dynamics of the aupairs family and compare to yours. You are looking for a good fit. You are not looking to be a parent, you are looking for a third adult.
Give the au pair a clear picture of what you expect, email them a daily routine and weekly outline. There should be no surprises.
If you are left with a choice of candidates, email them and ask their thoughts and if they are interessted in the position. The replies are usually spot on and makes it easy to choose the right one.
We have been incredibly lucky and have had amazing girls, but i put alot of effort in finding a good fit. I also interview with my current au pair and take her view into account. Its great getting a second opinion.

Dear Blueshoes, you must be fed up with this request, but I have just come across this very interesting chat and was wondering if you would be able to send me your list of questions too?

We too are looking for an au pair and have had two so far. The first was through au pair world and was a disaster, the other was private and absolutely lovely! Now I feel a lot of pressure to find someone who is right for us - and of course we have to be the right family for her...I'm happy to pay more (plus phone, travel pass etc), but more importantly hope to find someone who will feel comfortable and motivated to spend some quality time with the children, rather than just supervising them. Our au pair would just sit in front of her phone while at the playground and not engage with the kids at all so a list with the right questions would hopefully ensure that disinterested candidates change their minds about becoming an au pair in the first place ;-)

Many thanks for your help!

Dd used au pair world to find a great position in Spain. When she finished after a year ( to go to uni) dd1 took over with the same family.

They seem to compare packages around here.....I know which of the school Mums pay on the low side and it does cause some resentment. I also find that paying a little bit more does attract better candidates.

Again, this link explain the employment status for au pairs.

www.gov.uk/au-pairs-employment-law/au-pairs

They are not employees, but as it clearly states they are subject to Tax and NI is their income is over a certain level. I tend to start at £90/100 and then give a pay rise if they're good.

Salaries do vary a lot in different areas, we live in a high cost town, near London and if you didn't give a decent amount of pocket money, they wouldn't be able to go out and do anything. £80/90 for 25 hours is standard here.

Good luck with your searches everyone.

Blueshoes - I would be very grateful for the list as well! First skype calls with apw girls tomorrow and I'm worried!

another plea for the list of questions please!

Hi blueshoes, this post is very relevant and helpful. We have decided that an au pair would be the best option for us as our little one starts school on Sept.

Signed up to AuPair World this week and lots of interest. Would you mind messaging me the list of questions - you seem to know what you are talking about!

Thanks!

The whole point of an au pair is that its a cultural exchange and they should be treated as a family member and paid pocket money. If you want an employee employ a nanny and pay silly money and pay Nanny tax and NI. The rules are clear and should not be blurred to suit.

With gym membership and travel there is income tax to consider too as they are benefits in kind. Anyway, this thread has gone off course from the original post.

At £120 p/w the ni is marginal anyway. And you can do the paperwork online yourself very easily.

Wondering you can't be taking that attitude with regard to HMRC and be lecturing others on their arrangements. This thread has gone right off the rails. By all means pay au pairs what you feel is appropriate bit if it is over the taxable threshold it will not be considered 'pocket money'- all you would need is an AP with the wherewithal to report you and you could be fined. If you employ native speakers whose motivation for picking your family is marginally higher pay you would be mad not to consider this risk.its not a reason not to pay more but definitely protect yourself by registering as an employer, issuing pay state myself keeping a record of your arrangements including holiday pay and any other benefits.