Aupair World vs Agencies

[mumsareglam]

I have had 3 great aupairs all from agencies recommended on MN. This time I want to try aupair world. I have registered and I am about to interview. If all goes well, how do I go about checking references and do I need to send them a formal spec and a contract to sign beforehand. I have only had to send a "Dear Family" letter and a timetable previously. Many Thanks

I usually use Au pair world. I ask for reference details at the end of the interview. I ask for either email or telephone numbers. I ask for at least 2. Usually one is a bland school/uni ref and the other is from a previous employer. If they are older a reference from their landlord is useful too. If they still live at home then I offer for the parents to email me with their questions as well.
Once I have read the references, then we offer the job with a summary of terms and conditions. Once accepted we email a contract and ask her to sign it and to email a scan of the signed page.
I then email them every couple of weeks - just chatty general things and give them practical info about where to arrive and when we can collect them from airports etc.

Thank you ConstantlyCooking that's really helpful. Do you have a contract I could have or a link where I can get one. Thanks again.

If you pm me I will email our contract. We adapted it from BoffinMum's.

Thanks CC I sent you a pm.

I go for au pairs with previous aupair experience. I always ask for their former host families' telephone and call up with a list of questions. Ideally the host family will not be related to the aupair in any way and preferably the host mum, not host dad (women are less easy to fool and far more frank). Twice I spoke to men who gave glowing reports but I still ended up with duds!

Hi Bran - very happy to send you the contract. Pm me.

Totally new to this - got an au pair through an agency last time and whilst she was great, it did seem quite expensive at £500 agency fee. Would rather have given that to the au pair if I'm honest! Going to try aupair world - is there any chance I could have a copy of the contract too? Sounds silly - but what does 'PM me' mean?