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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Argentinian au pair - any views?

6 replies

Belgrano · 15/05/2011 09:54

After weeks/months of looking we've found an au pair with good references and all the 'essentials' that we need (ie. is pretty mature, can drive, has good English, is outdoorsy, likes dogs, is experienced in looking after children, doesn't seem the type to go potty looking after the kids in our suburban area for 5 hours per day, can stay for a year while I do my course etc etc). We've chatted on Skype a bit and she seems lovely.

I've spent some time in Argentina so I must admit that having her appeals as a great link to the country that I loved.

Anyone had anyone from Argentina before?

And tips or advice please before I give her the job? Or crucial final questions? This site has been really helpful so far.

Thank you

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bigbuttons · 15/05/2011 09:57

What I have learned is that you can't define an aupair by the country they come from. I've had lovely aupairs from say Hungary and also really shit ones.
People are people, wherever they come from.
Good luck

nannynick · 15/05/2011 10:09

Check the immigration rules. Without looking it up, I don't think they are able to come to the UK to work. Are you in the UK?

Original poster

Belgrano · 15/05/2011 10:38

Hi yes nannynick I am UK based, but she is dual nationality with Italy so can come in on that. I checked that first -we got almost this far with a US citizen a month or two back and were so gutted when we realised she couldn't come whichever way we looked at it.

bigbuttons, thanks. My mum had au pairs when we grew up and is quick to tar them all with the sweeping statements based on their country of origin so its' nice to hear your view! Any good questions you ask before you hire?

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Original poster

Belgrano · 15/05/2011 10:39

Sorry, it's, not its'. Can't bear wrong apostrophes!

OP posts:

ohnoshedittant · 15/05/2011 17:29

I agree with bigbuttons. Can't judge someone's ability to be an au pair based on their country of origin (there've been big arguments on this in the past IIRC!)

MGMidget · 15/05/2011 20:41

A lot of South Americans seem to have dual nationality with Italy. We once interviewed a nanny from Brazil with dual nationality with Italy and we had applications from others with the same. Seems to be a popular route to getting work in Europe. Probably perfectly legitimate but I suppose I would look carefully at the papers though in case its some kind of dodge. The dual nationality lady we interviewed had a different surname on her passport to the one on all her other papers which made me wonder....

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