Help, I can't get a new aupair

[Rebecca75]

Hi.

I live in rural Shropshire and have a fantastic aupair but she is leaving in April. I've contacted loads but all negative replies.

Any hints / tips on how to get a new one?

Thanks x

In general it is slim pickings even for those living in London. I think looking now for an April start is a good idea so you are on the right start.

What hours are you looking for and are you paying at the top of of the au pair pay scale ie £100-£110/week to take into account you are in a rural location?

I would also look at the facebook au pair pages in addition to aupairworld to widen your audience.

I haven't put in wages on my profile. My current aupair gets £85 per week but she works at the weekend teaching German, plus she drove her car over here so is massively independent.

Have a look at some of the other families profiles who have put something like "not accepting more applications at the moment" there are a few of them and some are in rural locations.

It's can be a bit of a popularity contest, so you need to open up your easyfind to any nationality. You obviously can't host them, but you'll get lots of applications from Brazilians who will make you look more popular!

What length of stay have you put? Most au pairs only want to stay 6 months, most host families want 12. I always say 6 month minimum and ours end up staying longer. Our last 6 month au pair is still here 14 months later....

You need to log in very regularly, so that you're near the top of the families.

How is the au pair going to get around? No-one will be happy stuck in the middle of nowhere without transport.

Make sure too there are lots of happy pictures on your profile and that you've emphasised the cultural exchange part.

Good luck.

I think pocket money has gone up a lot recently. I'm in Zone 2 London and the going rate was £100/week when I hired mine last June.

As Rebecca said set your profile to all nationalities and genders and when you are sent a message only respond to those you're interested in.

There are many Brazilians looking at the moment (their economy is terrible). Many also have dual nationality - my au pair is from Brazil and has an eu passport due to her grandmother being from Europe.

I'm really struggling too, mine leaves tomorrow, she gave 4 weeks notice. It's a nightmare

I'm surprised to hear that, as I have been inundated with interest on aupairworld. Did you join that site? Having said that, our position is to start next month and only 6-8 weeks long so probably quite attractive. Maybe they aren't planning so far ahead at the moment.
Could you contact some EU universities? My sister did a year in France and asked around for me at the lycees and Uni's. GL