Considering An Au Pair? - Selection Tips

Selection Tips:

My best advice when selecting an au pair:

1) Write down what skills and traits are important to your family (driver, homework help, infant experience, etc) then use that list when evaluating each application you review.  If you want your children to learn Spanish and that is a key reason for having an au pair outside of childcare, then of course ask for countries where Spanish is spoken.  

2) When talking to au pairs ask 'open ended questions' this will give you a better opportunity to evaluate their English skills and their personalities.

3) Use email to follow up on additional questions you may have after the interview or schedule a follow up call so you can both think about additional questions you may have.

4) Be very realistic about what they can expect in your home.  Tell the truth about childcare duties, car usage, curfew, and the area where you live.  It is better to be up front now, than have them walk out when it isn't what they expected.  See expectations.

5) Understand that in 99% of the au pairs - English is a 2nd Language.  Some of the translations for their applications and interviews are coming straight out of a book or Babel Fish.  Slang terms are rarely learned, so be careful using them.  For example "My son Joey is just loosing his mind lately."  may not translate well in a conversation overseas!  In fact they will most likely think your son became very ill recently.  The same goes for their terminology.  The first time an Australian told me she was going to put her "bag in the boot" I thought she lost her mind.  FYI a "boot" is the trunk of your car!

6) Ask specifics about childcare. Some of the things you should check for depending on your situation:  Were they alone with the kids or a helper?  Can they change diapers? What kinds of things did they do with the children?  Were they watching relatives kids only?  (In many South American cultures this is to be expected as 'big families' help each other out and the teens and 20 year olds watch their younger siblings and cousins while the older family members work - it isn't necessarily a bad thing, but surprises many families.)