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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

Aupair agencies

5 replies

jnl0612 · 30/08/2013 12:24

I'm on ap4 and we arnt having much luck. Have any of you used agencies rather than aupair world ?
If so has it worked out any better and are they worth the cost ??

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75amanda · 30/08/2013 17:04

I found my au pair through kangaroo ap. It's a website but I think they now have an agency too. I paid 26£ for become a premium member during 3 months. It's cheaper than an agency and the service they provide is very good and professional.
I'm very happy so far.
Hope you have the same luck than I had!

N1kk1 · 30/08/2013 20:47

I've heard good things about www.findanaupair.co.uk from friends recently. Might be worth a look for you?

Ruggles · 31/08/2013 22:09

After finding Au Pair World time consuming and exhausting we moved on to an agency and have just been talking about how we wouldn't do it any other way. We used Smart Au Pairs who have been fantastic. They have a great website, do evening calls, use lots of tech to make the process easier and we found them very helpful in terms of chosing the right AP etc. Quite expensive, but after weeks on APW and 2 girls who said yes and then no, it's been worth it! Good luck!

chloeb2002 · 01/09/2013 04:58

We used almondbury. Useless and wouldn't use an agency again! Neither girls had any checks done. One was "qualified" with an nvq in childcare. She gave up after 6 weeks as kids got in the way if her social life!!! We had to pay more to get a replacement and she was with us 8 months but was keen on drink driving.. And walked out with no notice when we said no
So au pair world ever since! Love it. 4 au pairs through there. Only one was not great!

Metrobaby · 06/09/2013 14:08

I used to use an Agency until I had to dismiss one for gross misconduct. The Agency were completely unsupportive and sent me CVs of unsuitable girls. The Agency then placed that Au-Pair with another unsuspecting family. IMHO most Agencies are really there to make money from families and au-pairs and don't really care about the well being of either. I find I would rather take my chances with Au-Pair World and having paying for any prospective au-pair for a trial weekend which is far less than the agency fees. The downside is that you have to go through at least 100 applications

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