Anyone got any au pair experience?

[Driller]

We've got an au pair coming in two weeks to help us look after our 4 month old girl. She seems quite capable but she's not been an au pair before and I'm starting to be a bit concerned that we have no independent information about this girl (she's 22) and we have to trust her alone with the kid.

We got in contact via Au Pair World.

I'm considering asking for a reference from her employer just for the principle really. Anyone else been here, any thoughts?

[Driller]

Lots of food for thought there. The girl in question is English (we're in France) and works in the fashion industry.

The job is actually pretty simple for her: take the baby to the creche in the morning (10mins walk) and collect her later and if the mrs is working late (I always do) lok after her for 2 hours plus some baby sitting on weekends.

Pretty sure she's not a nutter or a shoplifter but am definitely going to ask for some references now.

[Driller]

lord trumpton said:

OP, just wanted to ask without sounding like I'm being an arse...

Why would you want someone to help look after your 4 month old child? Is it because you are both busy with work or similar?

Yep, both very busy at work. I never get home earlier than 20.00 (4 days a week) and sometimes it's 21.00. She works shifts (ATCO) so gets quite a lot of days off but can also be away evening and night.

The local creche works 8.00- 18.00 but sometimes we're just not going to be able to take/collect her. No parents/family in the area.

magooagain said:

Can she speak French?

She speaks some French and is very keen to learn so should pick it up quickly. We want the kid to be bilingual hence an English speaking nanny. We looked at Scandinavians for that reason.

[Driller]

Nice one, did you have any references for her and how did you find her?