How to find a position as an au pair in France for summer 2020?

[Ladybirdman]

My (will be) 18 year old daughter is looking for a position as an au pair in a French speaking country next summer. Mainly to brush up on her French but also to broaden her horizons a bit.

She has signed up to a couple of agencies online but one has sent a message saying a family are trying to contact her but she must join up at £45 a month to access this message. This is the first mention of membership.

Has anyone used and could recommend an agency, paying or otherwise, which is fairly straight forward? We do have friends in France with small children but I'd rather she went independently. In your experience am I right on this point or should we stick to the safety of those we know?

Have a look at WWOOF and Workaway.info - often more varied than just being an au pair, but would fit the bill for French language and horizon broadening

She can sign up to aupairworld, and search for families on there - I think it is a one off fee but then she'll be able to send messages. (This is how our french au pair found us). Just make sure she has a Skype call with the family as well and get a clear idea of her hours/duties/accomodation

She could also have a look on workaway - I think once again it is a one off fee to sign up and the list of jobs are broader (au pairing, help in the house and garden, farmwork, etc) the idea is that she gets free board and accomodation in exchange for 4-5 hours work 5 days a week - so she won't get paid like an au pair would.