Last year I started looking in June for a Sept arrival and my APIA counselor said THAT was early.

I don't think APIA sends you the 'renewal' link until like 4 months out, but I guess you could manually do it if you felt like you needed more time.

I also found that starting then, most of the girls I contacted wanted a June/July arrival and didn't want as late as September. So I had to wait a bit, anyway.

I know a lot of my CC counterparts are starting now for a summer arrival because competition is fierce for early summer. I think if you have an ideal time (June/July/early August), it might do better to start searching early.

Hi - i find it easier to match months ahead as you can build the new relationship with the new au pair via email and skype even before she comes to work for you. I think it is an easier transition for your children as well as they are already expecting the new au pair to arrive at certain time. Your current au pair can communicate with her too and make the transition easier as well. CC also give bigger repeat family discounts if you match earlier and you will have priority matching too. Not sure about APIA. Reach out to ma if you have any questions. vernzach@gmail.com

HM here with questions about matching for next summer:

Last year we started interviewing in March for our new AP (August arrival), but I take a really long time in interviewing and checking references, so it took until late April by the time we matched. Meanwhile, I felt like there were several APs we were interested in along the way who were in the process of matching with other families by the time I contacted them (we are with APIA so it's not exclusive matching like with Cultural Care). I am therefore wondering if I started too late, and if I should start earlier this year. It usually takes me two weeks after identifying a promising candidate to extend a matching offer, so I need to build in that time.

For an August arrival, when do you start screening and interviewing new AP candidates?
Thanks.