This is what happened to us. We were outwardly upset and vocal about how CCAP handled our AP's transition, our LCC's total disinvolvement when AP's negligence amounted to child endangerment, and AP even was skipping cluster meetings and didn't show up for her own support meeting, and we left the program. CCAP refused to give us a refund, and also put on AP's transition document (yes, she was allowed to try to rematch!) that we left the program and didn't want to talk, and that any interested families should contact AP's program director. I ended up posting warnings on every AP Host Family Facebook Group I could find, saying I would talk. That AP should under no circumstances be allowed to watch kids unattended and unsupervised. At least my two children were old enough to tell us what happened. I cringe every time I think of AP being allowed to match with a family with an infant or young toddler or child who isn't verbal. At this point, I cringe when I think of any parent of an infant or young non-communicative child using an AP exclusively for childcare, without any cameras or oversight or check-ins from family or neighbors. |
I was a HM with the program quite a while ago --for 12 years until my children aged out. The safest solution is to NEVER consider a rematch AP. Are there a few decent ones out there? Maybe, but not many. Also, if the APs knew that failing with HF #1 meant going home, they would try harder. Rematch wasn't as common when we were with the program and most families with a dud AP looked for another one from out of country. Yes, it takes a little longer, but it's nice to get someone who isn't already jaded. And the agencies are too dishonest to trust for the true story, nor can you expect the former HF for the whole truth. Don't worry that you might miss the rare rematch who will work out well for you. It's not worth risking your children's safety. |
Well sure. The safest thing to do is also never drive or get on an airplane but we do that anyway, being as safe as possible. One of my best APs was a rematch. According to CCAP her previous HF didn't want to talk to me because they had left the program (sounds familiar, right!). I asked AP if she would give me the family's contact info anyway, and she did. I sent them an email and got back a very telling response. They liked her child care just fine but had issue with other things and I was able to infer a lot from the way the email was worded. After several discussions with the AP, LCC, AD and her previous HF (from year one) we matched with her. So happy we did! |
We also have a great rematch au pair right now. When I spoke to the prior host mom, it was clear they were mainly interested in her cleaning and running errands for the family and not in childcare. She has been great, perhaps our best au pair ever. |
In both of these cases, AP was willing to provide the host mom's contact info despite the agency not providing it. If AP refuses AND CC says the prior host family is "unavailable," then it would likely be a hard pass, even if desperate... |
Sure. But the original quoted PP said the safest move is to not take rematch APs. This is just going to say that there are great rematch APS but you have to be willing to do the leg work to vet them. |
Good luck with that when you are under such time pressure and the incentive for both the AP and the agency is to stonewall/deceive you. Not worth it! Better to start fresh with someone who is still excited about the prospect of being an AP. |
APIA is NOT like this. I just selected a re-match candidate and each of the profiles were super clear on where the issue was. They mentioned accidents, the one au pair left the kids in the car unattended, etc.
CCAP is opening themselves up for a significant lawsuit. If an AP has documented safety issues that are lied about by the agency, then I would sue the agency if something were to happen (if they lied about an accident and then she got in an accident in my car, I would 100% sue CCAP). |
Right, but... If you go with an OOC then you have to wait weeks for them to arrive and scramble to find care in the meantime. So a bit more time up front might get someone to my family quicker. Was worth a shot for me. |