Has anyone used Au Pair World?

Yes, the good aupairs go the extra mile .

I agree with O'Vienna there is not direct correlation to how much you pay them and I have had aupairs for almost 9 years.

I question an aupair who takes on the role for money. There are far more lucrative options for their skill set, like nannying or waitressing. It is much more about the fit with the family. My best aupair lasted 2 years and moved with us 2 twice and we are still in touch.

I am paying market (not mn market, if you believe these boards) otherwise I will be losing my good aupairs left right and centre. As I said, an uplift can always be arranged once the aupair has proven herself an invaluable asset.

Even if I offer £30 more a week, what does the 'best' candidate mean? I always think I am getting the 'best' candidate, out of the hundreds that apply for the role. It is not as if I had to lower my standards, nor will I. It is only after the aupair comes through the door that you can really suss her out IME.

I think it may be more about the time with the family part- it's not that they're looking to supplement with more earnings. I mean- we've never had any 'monkeys' in seven years and all have 'gone the extra mile'.

We find paying the extra gets the girl who's willing to go the extra mile. If that makes some people suspicious, we're probably better off without that kind of girl in our lives

£30 a week can add up though, an extra £120 a month, plus a perk of some kind. For us, it's worth paying to get the best candidate. We require before and after school care though, so the full 25 hours are worked. Perhaps if you only needed 10 hours, then you'd pay less because the au pair could go out and get an evening job or something?

blueshoes have you tried paying market rates?

I'm not sure what the 'easy to please' comment is meant to mean.

There is truth in the saying 'pay peanuts, get monkeys'.

We have been paying 80 p/w for 20-25 hours and we've only had one marginal au pair (who came via another route apart from the agency and AP World); all of stayed a year and we are still in contact with them. We are paying 90 next year but I 'm sure could have recruited just as easily on 80. However, ours don't do any morning hours so maybe this is why tyhe schedule is attractive. But local friends APs do mornings as well on the same pay so I don't really think so. And they stay teh same length of time.

What Blueshoes has said is correct although it may seem counterintuitive. We once advertised at over 100 p/w and it was the hardest year to recruit. I have this theory that if you are paying over the odds the APs start to get suspicious that the job isn't as described in some way or that the 'part of hte family' element is non-existent.

hibble, actually not. I wish I could fix it with pay, but it is not such a simple issue as paying £30 a week more. Perhaps you are easy to please.

blueshoes have you thought that maybe the quality of the women you recruit is variable because you pay so little?

We have only had amazing au pairs.

I offer £90 for 35 hours a week in London. I somehow still get hundreds of applications. There is no point offering the moon at the start because the quality of the girls is quite variable even after due diligence. Better to get someone in at a decent (but not generous) rate and if they prove to be good, add the perks on.

You can also get away with paying a little less in London because it is generally more attractive for aupairs to live in London and the cost of the board, which is built into the entire package, is pretty high in London because rents are high.

I am in London suburb zone 5 and for 25 hours I am offering 90 pounds plus basic phone (5 pounds per month) and bus pass, but we need bus for school run.

I considered offering to pay the English classes or gym but decided the offer was good enough. My current aupair saves at least half of his money and does not sit at home all day.

Let's not put up the price to the sky. I think those offering 120+, do not realize that there is also extra cost in food, electricity etc.

I have had about 30-40 applications within 3 days, but one of our boys is problematic, our house is modest and we aren't even British. Oh I am looking for a male by the way.

That's really helpful thank you.

Agree the going rate is nearer to £100 per week plus some kind of 'perk'. It does attract the best candidates I think. Especially in London.

Also consider holidays, and whether the pay will go up, also consider whether you will allow them to take them out and about; cinema, lunch, swimming etc and to plan activities; this will add up! What are you doing about travel costs, Oyster? How about a phone? As they will need to keep in touch with you throughout the day.

cake £80 is OK, but if you can I would offer a bit more or a perk like gym membership to attract the best candidates. A lot of families will be paying £100 /week for 25 hours.

Sorry to hijack thread but I am also on AP world and been a bit overwhelmed by response. I am also a bit unsure about pocket money. How do you work out what to offer. I need no more 25 hours? No driving required as we are in London. Is £80 too little?

Blueshoes, could I possibly have your list pm'd as well? I just joined AP world and have had nearly 100 applications in less than 24 hours so am feeling a bit overwhelmed by the screening process!

Had the same problems with au pair world and have ended up going back to agency, but with Australian candidates and have had much more success. I wonder if it is because they're coming such a long way; that they've got to be committed and absolutely sure.

I've found some European girls to be slightly flakey if I'm totally honest.

I was just about to post the same question so thanks for starting this thread op.

This is my first time using aupair world and I have had numerous applications however the 2 girls that I've interviewed have wanted around 150-200 quid a week?? I'm an experienced host and have had many aupairs and fully qualified nannies over the years but this is the first time I've had aupairs asking for this, especially since they had no real experience to speak of. I need someone to help get the kids to and from school, keep their rooms tidy and clean up the kitchen. approx 30 hours a week. I'm offering 5 weeks holiday, 100 pounds pocket money, a cinema pass, gym membership and access to a car for personal use.

Do you put what you are offering in the ad? I haven't but looking at the other profiles not many do. I'm only going through au pair world as I'm sick to death of paying massive agency fees for not the best candidates.

Any thoughts welcomed.

Blueshoes would you mind PMing me your list aswell please? New to this :)

Thanks very much.

My aupair is not required to drive. I would be very nervous if she did and had my children in the car with her.

As regards leaving my children with a new aupair, I guess you have to trust your vetting process and instincts. You are an experienced aupair employer so must have some idea of whether someone will work out? I think you pretty much have a feel for the person within the first 1-2 weeks.

I asked how old your children were. They are all clearly verbal and so you can ask them how their day went and what the aupair did. There is also safety in numbers: them against her.

I only have one day where I show the aupair the school run and then if she is comfortable, she flies solo from day 2. I do have a detailed timetable and my children 11 and 8 are old enough to fill in any gaps, if she forgets.

I guess I might be quite blase!

lovely, how old are your children?