Au Pair - Refs and Contract

[MrsJones100]

I'm back with more questions. All the help I received recently has been invaluable. So, I have never had to reference anyone before. Is it best to get a telephone number and speak to the previous employer? Ask AP for them to email me with the reference, or get a letter sent. The contract, should this be emailed to AP to read and then signed when they arrive. Once again I can not thank you all enough.

Hi. We Always take up references over the phone but then we recruit from a country where knowledge of English is widespread and good. If the reference needs help, then I also have access to someone who can translate...it is different from recruiting a nanny in the uk where you can speak to a previous employer who speaks English. Where is your new AP from? I am just personally not that hot on letters only...

Write up and send the contract before they arrive. Ours includes house rules about things that are really important to us as well...it's not perfect (every year I always find something I have forgotten to add) but I would rather they see warts and all what is involved so they are making an informed decision. It's all stuff we will have spoken about during the interview process but sometimes I get the feeling things go in one ear and out the other and I want to make sure everything is clear to them.

HTH

Thank you very helpful. Yes I will try the telephone for references. I am still in the process of short listing, as is the way at the moment mostly Spanish applications.