How important is the LCC?

[Anonymous]

My impression is that the LCC doesn't matter much unless you have a problem or need to go into rematch and then she becomes very important. Otherwise it seems like the LCC doesn't do much with the host families and just sets up the monthly meetings/get-togethers with the APs. Any thoughts? Am I missing some important function the LCC performs? How much does her experience matter? TIA.

[Anonymous]

My experience has been the same as yours. Happily, I haven't had an LCC worthy issue or rematch.

[Anonymous]

We had a great one for our first au pair and a not-so-great one for our second. We've never had rematch issues, but I actually did notice a difference in our first au pair. Our first LCC organized great monthly meetings that everyone went to and really enjoyed. They had a great comraderie and feeling of being part of a group and made lots of friends. Our second LCC schedules monthly meetings, but they're not fun and no one seems to go (or they go, sign in, and then leave). Our second au pair has made all her friends through Facebook or non-APs. She feels less supported. We're still doing fine with her, but I think she would be happier if she had a good LCC and good AP group.

We're actually going back to the first agency this year partly because of the LCC issue. I don't think it makes a huge huge difference, but it definitely does have an impact.

[Anonymous]

For those with good LLCs, which agency are you using?

[Anonymous]

I think the LCC is partially important.

Although my LCC (APIA) is responsive to me when I have a problem, she doesn't give off warmth and is quite cool in personality. She isn't very helpful to the APs and seems quite HF oriented.

Of course, right...we are paying her salary?

Anyway, I'm looking at a different agency and met with the LCC from that one. She gave off more empathy, but she also seems to be wealthy and this is a 'side job'...and almost gave off that vibe that she was better than I am. For example, when she arrived at my home in her huge ass range rover, designer clothes, and remarked 'what a quaint house you have' and 'how clean you keep it'...just rubbed me the wrong way...but I digress.

Anyway, I think you have to wonder, if you were in a transition...would you trust this person to move it the right way/help you.

If not, change agencies, or see if you can move clusters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had a great one for our first au pair and a not-so-great one for our second. We've never had rematch issues, but I actually did notice a difference in our first au pair. Our first LCC organized great monthly meetings that everyone went to and really enjoyed. They had a great comraderie and feeling of being part of a group and made lots of friends. Our second LCC schedules monthly meetings, but they're not fun and no one seems to go (or they go, sign in, and then leave). Our second au pair has made all her friends through Facebook or non-APs. She feels less supported. We're still doing fine with her, but I think she would be happier if she had a good LCC and good AP group.

We're actually going back to the first agency this year partly because of the LCC issue. I don't think it makes a huge huge difference, but it definitely does have an impact.

I agree that an LCC can really matter to your APs experience in addition to your own. We have only "needed" LCCs when we have had rematch issues (and were lucky to have great LCCs for that during those times), but we have noticed that our current LCC does not seem to create the kind of cohesiveness for the AP cluster that our former APs have had with other LCCs, and I think that does negatively impact the AP's experience. And APs can really benefit from an LCC who is supportive on issues like finding medical clinics, classes, offering trainings and tips for childcare - i.e. things that help an AP to navigate the experience of living and working abroad, and not just monthly required get-togethers.

[Anonymous]

Are they low paying positions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are they low paying positions?

My understanding is that they are not very well paid. They get some sort of a party time salary, and a certain amount of monthly "commission" for every family in their cluster, but it is not a lot compared to someone who works a regular, salaried job (well, and the hours ARE supposed to be part time, and with a lot of work being done from the LCC's home). Now - if the LCC doesn't do much, I guess it IS a lot, but for the great LCCs I have come into contact with who spend a good portion of their evening hours on the phone with APs and host families to try to work out problems, driving out to homes to mediate and do intro visits, picking up and hosting APs who have been kicked out of their homes, etc. - it seems like they are probably not being paid enough!

[Anonymous]

Who is collecting most of the profits that parents are paying them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who is collecting most of the profits that parents are paying them?

The Au Pair Agencies of course!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who is collecting most of the profits that parents are paying them?

The Au Pair Agencies of course!

Aren't the LCCs part of the agencies?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who is collecting most of the profits that parents are paying them?

The Au Pair Agencies of course!

Aren't the LCCs part of the agencies?

Yes, technically they are part, but they do not get paid that much. The agencies themselves are the ones making most of the money off of the placements. I have several friends who work for Au Pair in America in Stamford, CT, so have more information that probably the average person does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who is collecting most of the profits that parents are paying them?

The Au Pair Agencies of course!

Aren't the LCCs part of the agencies?

They are paid employees of the agencies, not profit-sharing partners in the business!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My impression is that the LCC doesn't matter much unless you have a problem or need to go into rematch and then she becomes very important. Otherwise it seems like the LCC doesn't do much with the host families and just sets up the monthly meetings/get-togethers with the APs. Any thoughts? Am I missing some important function the LCC performs? How much does her experience matter? TIA.

Exactly this. We've had good ones and bad ones and it hasn't mattered b/c we had good au pairs. That being said, if we had a bad au pair I can easily tell the LCC that would be helpful and those that would not.....