Really peed off - can't find an au pair - groan

[lisalisa]

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oh Lisalisa, can't believe the way some people can behave. Would a phone call have been so hard?

And sounds like you had a lucky escape with the other one. It doesn't sound like she should be working with children.

Really hope you find someone soon.

Not again, you poor thing - this is not fair, and little consolation to think you've had a(nother) lucky escape.

All the luck I can possibly send is coming your way ...

Kayleigh, so sorry, sounded as if I was sniping at your mention of lucky escape - oops. Cross-post, honestly.

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lisalisa I just skimmed over thread - what bad luck.

I had a lucky escape with a girl wanting to change families. just before she was due to start she cleared off nowhere to be found. I had told the children, arranged time to spend with her, and perpared her room. I was fuming at the time.

I understand what you mean about agency fees, on the otherhand websites are really time consuming.

I hope you find someone who can make a good recommendation. I think its always the best way.

good luck

Lisa, have you tried Simply Childcare?
I just rang a referee of an au pair, and the first things she said was that she wouldn't recommend her! The written reference was glowing!

Maybe you should call back the previous families and let them know what just happened so that they can warn anyone else who calls for a reference.
Why don't you try contacting some embassies of countries that you'd like to have an aupair from.

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Lisalisa, I realise I've probably lost all credibility to advise on this topic after your experience on greataupair.com. But, if you would be interested in Estonian au pairs, maybe this e-mail, which I just found on the web, would help.

[email protected]

Lisa, current one (who is great) is the sister of a friend of mine. I got the details about the "unrecommended one" from a local website for Belgium which carries ads for everything from nannies to (ahem) swingers. It has been useful in the past.

When we were in London for a few months, I used Simply Childcare and they were great - very helpful - and I had a great response. They were v v helpful on the phone with loads of advice too. Give them a call - the website is www.simplychildcare.com

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Excellent news

They are crossed. Best of luck, Lisa! Two new ones at the same time. Potentially stressful. But, then again, so lucky to have escaped that whacko one. So perhaps luck is on your side now.