We are looking for an au pair. Is there an agency you would recommend (or advise to stay clear of)?

[NormaStanleyFletcher]

That's it really.

DH's job is moving and he will be doing shift work, and as he does all the pre/post school care currently we need an au pair.

There are loads of agencies on line, do any of you have experiences to share?

TIA

No-one?

Oh well

Bump

I think there is only us two on here today Norma!
What area are you, I can ask around for you. PM if you'd rather.

We used aupair world.net which is not an agency as such - you can search for suitable au pairs and pay a fee in order to contact them. You need to follow up references etc yourself.

If you search MN there are a couple of agencies recommended.

I wouldn't use a bricks and mortar agency as I really don't think they add anything.

Aupairworld or greataupair have a good selection of candidates (beware Americans on the latter) and then spend the rest of what would have been the agency fee on an easy jet flight for a trial weekend.

at OJ

We are in bucks now, and will be in Oxfordshire when the RAF eventually give us a house.

The au pair will have the extra thrill of living on base, behind a gate guarded

... By a man with a gun (posted too soon)

Thank you for suggestions Albert and Tree

Hello we're our 4th au-pair. We've used the same agency each time. I have found invaluable especially when one became homesick. They do all the references and have a good vetting criteria. The girls we've had from there have been excellent.

Sorry meant to say, it's a small agency in France. I can pm you the details if you wish.

Yes please :)

Are they expensivw?

Sorry for a hijack. I am in the same situation regarding child care and thinking about having a aupair from summer. Is it possible to have the agency details?

norma we have that dubious pleasure too. I would be very very upfront about that. It's amazing the number of people who don't really get it even if you say 'we are a military family and live on a base'.

Oh we will. It will be my first time 'behind the wire' too. It is exciting and daunting at the same time.