Anonymous wrote:I think I heard it just started with CC in 2013. Good for them to be the leaders for AP's.

I wonder which nanny agency will be the first to take such a bold step? I imagine they will experience an instant advantage over the other agencies who don't do it.

Just as the best nannies like to feel "qualified", so would the best families, no?

+100000

I think I heard it just started with CC in 2013. Good for them to be the leaders for AP's.

I wonder which nanny agency will be the first to take such a bold step? I imagine they will experience an instant advantage over the other agencies who don't do it.

Just as the best nannies like to feel "qualified", so would the best families, no?

Like many of us said on that other thread, I am a host parent who is completely fine with undergoing a background check. I'm with CC though and I don't remember seeing that requirement...

It won't be long before the best nanny agencies will step up to the plate and follow suit. It's time to start some sort of "qualification process" of the families, especially for live-in nannies. These nannies have to often been sexually harassed, especially when MB works late or is away on business travel. Oh, you haven't heard much about that? Nanny makes up a different excuse to quietly quit. She doesn't want to cause MB or the children, any embarrassment. Such a sweet girl she is.

It is good news. I have a lot of respect for them. Doing the right thing takes a lot, these days. I bet the better parents will sign up with them, because they're doing such a detailed job. Everyone should want that, no?

Is there some slew of criminal acts being performed by HFs against their au pairs that I haven' t heard about???

(And please don't point to the California pimp case -- we have no info that that scumbag was involved with the HF/Au pair process in any way)

Agree that this would not be on my list if I were sending my daughter abroad. If it is a good program, I might be worried about her being placed with jerks, or people who would mistreat her... but that is nothing that a criminal background check is likely to show.

There is also much more accountability for employers in more traditional employment scenarios. Anyone who can afford it can sign up for the AP program and accountability is very low.

I disagree about the "wouldn't you want this for your daughter" arguement, as au pairs are adults. Yeah, I'd want this for any loved one who is going to live with a new family, but knock it off with the infantilization of grown women.

In any case, I think it makes sense. OP, employers don't typically have to undergo background checks, but:

1) au pairs are going to LIVE WITH the families. I wouldn't balk at a nanny agency making the same requirements for families hiring live-in nannies

2) au pairs are also paying into the agencies to perform a matching and oversight service.

3) the au pair program is a government program designed, in part, to share positive aspects of our culture with the rest of the world. Sending a guest to our country into the home of a criminal is kind of counter to that whole plan.

Finally!
You would not want that for your daughter's basic safety?

I mentioned this in the other thread but I think it got burried...

Anyway, Cultural Care sent out a newsletter that HFs now have to pass a crim background check before welcoming a new AP. No explanation of what necessitated this or where the authority comes from. What other employer has to undergo such a check?