I agree with PP from 8/23 - the AP is more important with the agency. We were signed up with two agencies (CC and APC) when we were searching and ultimately matched with an AP from APC - had nothing to do with the agency.

There are slight differences, but in a big picture sense the agencies are pretty similar. Just read your contract well - they all have large program fees and don’t expect a big refund (or any refund) if you leave the program early. And remember who you are dealing with - AP agencies are companies that want to make money off of you - sometimes they can be helpful, but take what they say with a grain of salt.

In my experience, I found matching with CC more high pressure and stressful. The main draw for me to CC was the huge selection of AP candidates from all different countries. The down-side to that is I think they also have tons of host families, so matching could be very fast (which I didn’t like) and I felt that some of the APs were “perks shopping” (which probably happens everywhere to some extent).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to go with - NOT cultural care.

Care to expand? We’ve been with them for years - through several rematches but have found them to be fine to deal with. But we’ve been realistic about it and understood the agreements we’ve signed. It seems people that have issues have wanted things outside the norm of the financial or hosting agreements (refunds not entitled to for example)

I am a different poster with the same sentiment. They booted my family out of their program after two consecutive rematches, for no good reason, no violations. Well they made up some reasons of course. Left me no recourse whatsoever. My last au pair with them decided to request a rematch, then elope on the last day of her rematch, and days before I was due to give birth, even though I begged her to hold off the rematch until after the baby is born so I don't have to take precious time off prior to that. The agency, yes, dumped me at this very moment too. No meaningful refund either, and no apologies for two consecutive au pairs not suitable for this (first - major depression, no engagement with kids whatsoever; second - eloped with prior boyfriend she already had in the area when she came to USA).
I am an experienced host mom and in my 14th year hosting, no problems with other agencies I have been with, and successful record.

Au Pair In America has served us well 5 years running. We tried to match using a couple other agencies but didn't get anywhere.

My family has had three APs. Each time I say that we have no agency preference, and teach time we've gone with Au Pair Care. They have a very helpful website and our LCC is good. We seek Spanish-speaking APs and Au Pair Care has a big program in Colombia. All three of our APs have been from there, and through APC.

All the agencies will waive their browsing fee (whatever they call it) if you ask them, but the agency probably matters less than the AP you choose.

We have worked with three. Strong preference for Au Pair In America, and run screaming from Great Au Pair USA.

Anonymous wrote:I’m going to go with - NOT cultural care.

Care to expand? We’ve been with them for years - through several rematches but have found them to be fine to deal with. But we’ve been realistic about it and understood the agreements we’ve signed. It seems people that have issues have wanted things outside the norm of the financial or hosting agreements (refunds not entitled to for example)

I’m going to go with - NOT cultural care.

Also, au pairs are in control now because there are so few to choose from in country and so many families looking so unless you have older kids, are offering lots of money (way more than the min. recommended stipend of $195.95), generally are offering an easy situation with not a lot of hours and are prepared to let your au pair travel and see friends (no strict social distancing), you won't be an attractive family.

Anyone who has recommendations for a good AL knows the AP is already with a family. If you’re looking for a good agency, people either have no preference or prefer subject differences (large number of APs makes finding AP with specific criteria easier, but agency feels like a money-making corporation; smaller agency feels more interested in each AP/family family working out, but they have a smaller pool of APs, so matching for specific criteria is harder, as is finding anyone in the event that rematch is necessary).

At this point, unless the exclusion for medical personnel working with covid patients applies to you, you’re not likely to find an AP very easily. The ban on new visas will continue until at least December 31. If you are involved with medical care of covid patients in any way, you can start contacting agencies, and you basically have your pick of any available AP out of country, but you’ll have to find gap care while your waiver and their visa are processed.

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Hi - I'm new to the Au Pair world and interested in hiring one. Anyone have any recommendations on a few with good reputations?

Thanks!