Au pair: "reference"

[marigio]

We are in the process of finding a new au pair to replace our current one who will return home in the summer. We have a good relationship with her.

I am just wondering if it's usual to offer the prospective new au pair a chance to talk to the current au pair to find out more about us from the au pair's perspective, like a "reference" on us? This was not possible when we offered the role to our current au pair last year as she is our first one.

Should I offer it if they don't ask? Just thought it may be useful on both sides so that she has better understanding and expectations.

Has anyone done it but backfired?

We always did, both the new and outgoing au pairs enjoyed it, and found it useful. They skyped before arrival, then we had a handover week. No reason not too, unless you think your outgoing au pair isn't happy with you, but I would imagine that the au pairs would meet at yours anyway.

Yes, we always do it too.

I found second time around I had a better choice of au pairs, as they felt safer when they could speak to someone first about the role.

I like hearing references from past nannies so yes it would be nice to offer it. Although I did decline a job once after hearing one nanny's reference!

Legolego: may I ask why? Did you find out something they didn't tell you, or?

Yes pretty much. The parents had described completely different living arrangements to what I would have - the nanny showed me the room on Skype. (I was told I'd have a one bedroomed private annex, it was a small single room in their house that was not off limits to the children!) She also told me about duties I'd be expected to do that hadn't been discussed, eg having the monitor in my room at all times, that kind of thing. It was a rather unusual case, and I had sort of sussed out that something wasn't quite right when talking to the parents anyway. Most references I've had off other nannies are basically just telling me what they do on a daily basis - more of a handover I guess.

Just to be clear, the size of the room wasn't the issue. (I have a small single in my current live-in role). It was purely because they had lied about the room available.

Im interviewing at the moment and my current ap sits in on skype, and when we are done I leave the girls to chat in private. I completly trust the ap and her opinion and thoughts have been spot on so far. She is just as concerned about who gets to take over "her kids" as I am and we both agree none of the candidates have been the one yet. Back to apworld.....

Reported Pebbles10's post. Not just because it's the wrong place for an ad but because posting your real name plus mobile is a really bad idea.
I'm bored on a bus so I spent a couple of minutes googling and it threw up your full name, what you do, where you live, where your kids (girl has 5-letter name, boy has 3-letter name ) go to school and incidentally which events your son came 3rd in on his first school sports day. Really, really bad idea and you should tell the school that their PDF newsletters appear on Google so they can look into stopping that happening.

OP are you already hiring for the next school year? I was thinking to start hiring in June ... the same as last year. Is it too late?!