Finding an au pair without using an agency

[loboil]

Hi there,

First post on mumsnet for me - I'm a Dad - hope that's allowed :)

Can anyone point me in the right direction? Am gonna post an ad on gumtree but maybe there are better sites.

We need someone asap and are offering the normal deal (appx £90/pw - all expenses paid appx 30hrs/pw) based in Herts 25 mins from central London.

aupair world is the main one I believe.

Why not use an agency they take all the frustration out of the whole search? Why not try abacus au pairs. Ive used them a number of times and I also based in Herts as well.

Regards

Depends on the profile of the au pair you're looking for.

I got fed up of Au pair world and have moved on to Great Au Pair, but then you get a lot of Americans applying for your job who can't get a visa.

If you're needing someone ASAP then Gumtree is a good bet because it's likely to be someone already in the UK applying however you might want to be careful about why they're leaving their current family as now isn't a particularly logical starting point.

Welcome to MN!

Hi loboil - If doing it all yourself and you are new to it, then you do need to expect it to take anything from a minimum of a few evenings of solid work in the evenings upwards. There will be a lot of time wasters and garbage to filter out. I remember spending the best part of six or seven weeks once in trying to find someone - constantly sending messages from greataupair and drawing lots of blanks and no replies, or almost getting things organised and then it faltering at the last minute.

If you run an advert on gumtree then expect to get a lot of replies - many of which might be from some strange people..!

Make sure you write down the critical aspects of what you are looking for at the beginning and stick with it. If each person doesn't meet the basic criteria then move on and don't be swayed to compromise at that stage. When you are left with a short list of half a dozen then you need to contact each with a list of questions, consider their responses, then organise to phone those you still think are good enough.

There are lots of threads on here about typical questions you should ask, try to cover their current situation and motivation for being an au pair, what they plan to do in the UK (English classes, working any extra jobs, what friends they may have here etc), ask them to describe their childcare experience and ask them specific questions that make them have to think and give a proper answer about situations etc. Check dates very carefully and write them all down at the time and double check them during the interview so there is no doubt - later when you check references make sure they all stack up well. Find out about their other work experience (of any type) and see how long they've held a job down. Ask as many questions as you feel necessary - obviously going into hobbies and all the other usual stuff.

I've just found an au pair using au pair world and she started yeterday. I agree that you need to be very specific about your requirements, working times, locations, what au pair will be expected to do plus pay on your profile. This means those who contact you know what to expect. Then come up with a list of questions and e-mail to all those who contact you/you find interesting. Once they respond then carry out telephone interviews with them, you'll know the right au pair once you speak to them. My au pair was available to start in a week so au pair world can still be a fast way of getting one. I would avoid getting an au pair with previous au pair experience as may be looking for more money.

many thanks. There seem to be a lot of very qualified spaniards on Au Pair world which is good.

Hi loboil, there are a few of us dads here but we are outnumbered... We found 4 au pairs on au pair world. As Treeesa said it's hard work but worth it when you consider you are finding someone to live with you and look after your DC. Put an honest profile up and be clear and specific about what you expect of your au pair. Good luck