Start process before AP room is ready?

[Anonymous]

We are currently starting the process of finishing our basement so that when we get an AP she will have a dedicated bedroom and bathroom (not a true AP suite, since the basement will also have an exercise room and a TV room, but it will give her some extra privacy). But both the remodeling and the AP hiring process (from what I understand) can take a while and we are eager to get things going. Is there a way to start hiring before the basement is done? Will AP want to see pictures of her living space before she agrees to a match? Or will it be enough that the construction is currently going on?

[Anonymous]

When are you looking for your AP to start?

There are very few candidates this time of year, unless you want a Brazilian. They seem to be the most common for winter arrivals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When are you looking for your AP to start?

There are very few candidates this time of year, unless you want a Brazilian. They seem to be the most common for winter arrivals.

As soon as possible. When does the process start for most APs, then? When is the best time to start talking to the agencies?

[Anonymous]

I personally would not. I bm post a lot of pictures of the living situation. For us, we basically have a dedicated basement apartment and it is a big selling point. I prefer to have my pick of candidates and have the upper hand. The perks are part of that process.

[Anonymous]

We had a similar situation earlier this year. The issue was not with the AP but the agency coordinator. They do an in house interview before you can match and they want to see where AP will be sleeping. As with most project it took longer than expected so the basement was not totally finished when we had the interview. However we had another empty room which we showed the LCC that is where the AP will be staying. We also showed her the basement and told her that we will move AP there when it is done. The AP Never asked to see pictures of her room! When she arrived the basement was finished. So if you have a spare room that AP could use if basement is not done start the process, otherwise you should probably wait.

[Anonymous]

I think it is enough to describe the AP bedroom/ bathroom to your prospective AP. The basement will need to be shown to the agency, and there are fire safety requirements such as a window, door exit.
Whatever the "perks" you're trying to sell to your first AP, it's more important to know what you're looking for in an AP, and in your HF-AP relationship.

[Anonymous]

As long as you can be 100% sure that the room will be available for the AP when she gets there then I think it is ok to start the process of interviewing, etc. whenever. I know that as someone who has lived abroad in multiple situations that I would really struggle if I had to be in "temporary" or "shared" spaces immediately upon getting to a new country if I wasn't expecting it (i.e. wasn't planning on a hostel but instead had brought a lot of belongings, wanted to be able to "nest" etc.)

[Anonymous]

You won't be able to get approved until the LCC comes and signs off on the AP's living space - although you might be able to do what PP did and show another space that could be used if the suite wasn't ready.

FWIW, we never show pictures of our AP space, and our space is really nice - they have a bedroom, bathroom, and living room in the basement. We don't want APs to be picking us because of those amenities. That being said, we do have other things going for us (live in DC, only one kid) that probably makes things easier.

[Anonymous]

We do not talk about the size of our house except in vague terms or other living arrangements (private bath or not?) unless asked. Honestly, we don't want the AP who is cherry picking families based on perks. We want someone serious about their ability to interact with kids and ask more questions about what they like than stuff like the size of their bed.

[Anonymous]

Being through a couple of remodels myself, I know that delays are almost inevitable. So, add a couple of months to your targeted completion date and then start the search process for your AP accordingly. We did not have the AP room furnished when we matched with our first AP, so she had no idea what it will look like. But it was finished and satisfied the program requirements. I guess our LCC took our word for it that we will get it furnished and set up in time. I doubt that an LCC would feel the same way for an ongoing construction. I do not recall if you need your LCC's sign off before you start the process, or before you actually match with a candidate. I suggest you reach out to the AP agencies that you are planing to target and talk to them about your situation.

[Anonymous]

Most APs will ask to see their space prior to matching. It is very common - especially if you are competing for one who has multiple options. I would wait until your space is done to show it. Just explain it will be done before they get there. You need to make sure it is done - arriving to a construction zone sucks - and rematch factor for many aps.
If you are trying to get an AP off cycle, like now,it may not matter too much. Most APs willing to come now are from SA or did not get picked during the summer in NA.

[Anonymous]

Home visit is required prior letting you match. You can start interviewing but cannot match. If your space is not done and you have no place to put an ap now they probably will just wait for word from you that it definitely will be done by xx date then let you match for arrival post that date.
They want your $$$ so will never say no...just string you along until you meet the checkbox for room.

[Anonymous]

I was able to match for my first au pair before my entire house was ready. LCC did come to our old house for the home visit but we had no where in that house that we could have housed au pair (it was a tiny 2 bed room house). We matched 5 months before au pairs arrival date and house was scheduled to be ready 3 months before au pairs arrival. LCC came to new house after we had moved in to confirm au pair space before her arrival. We are with CC.