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[quote=Anonymous]I'd love to share tips for selecting au pairs.  We're on our second and so far it seems like I've picked well for both (we loved our first one, just getting to know our second).  Of course, two times doesn't mean anything more than coincidence, so I'd love to hear about how others select. Here's what I look for.

First, I only look at au pairs who have worked with kids in a setting involving more than just ocassional evening babysitting.  I only look at APs who have spent longer times with the same kids over a long period of time.  Kids can be easy and fun for a few hours once a month, but an AP who has stuck with the same kids and has seen their meltdowns and annoying habits will get what childcare really is.

Then, I look for APs that want to do something with children in the future.  Not just the "I love kids!!" assertions, but someone who wants to be a teacher or some similar field after being an au pair.

If they pass those two checks, I contact them and we Skype.  I eliminate anyone who doesn't have at least inteligible English - no disrespect to those who can't speak English very well, but I have a hard enough time communicating my needs when they do speak English.  Our family needs someone who can speak and understand pretty well.  I also eliminate anyone who seems really nervous or doesn't ask me questions or only asks questions about what they get out of the deal (do I get a car?  Do I have a curfew? etc).

Honestly, but this point I've known who both of my au pairs were going to be.  Both I've just known for some reason that they are the right fit, although I'm not sure how.  So at this point, I make sure they understand the good and bad things about what we offer as a family and the good and bad things about being an au pair.  And then, we make the match.

What's your process for selecting?[/quote]

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