Former AP here.

I'd advise you not to do any overlap if you can.

The leaving AP will talk about what she disliked about your family and the new AP will be scared to live the same situation ...

Sometimes it's just better to start on the right foot and onto a new chapter without that stress.

One week overlap is good when you have a very strong AP transitioning the responsibilities.

No more than one week, and only if the current one is stellar (and will teach the new one how strides things) *and* the new one is apprised of changes to the handbook before she gets here.

A month is too long. You could maybe do two weeks then let the current one leave early?

I've had great overlaps in the past - it can work if they are both good eggs.

It could work - and could be good, so the new au pair could see the old au pair in action - but I personally wouldn't do it. Wouldn't want to manage two au pairs and all the energy they require. Plus I'd worry that they'd basically ignore the kids and spend time gossiping, or they'd "tattle" on each other, or lots of other annoying scenarios. Its a nope from me.

No, I would not do it.

You'd have to pay double during the overlap period, and I'm not sure how it would work with your agency.

Will the current one still be fully "on?" So many opportunities for things to go south.

Managing one is hard enough. I can't imagine managing two.

For better or worse, the current one will also set expectations for the new one.

Nope nope nope.

Do you like having overlap between current AP and next one? Our current AP is not a native English speaker but our next one will be. I mentioned this because I'm not sure our current AP would be that great at explaining what job is and frankly there are things that I would like to change about how they're done. But new AP would like to come a month earlier than our current AP is leaving. Technically we do have the room to house both. I'm inclined to not let there be any overlap, but would like your feedback as this is our first change in APs. It's not a disaster if I end up with a few weeks in between them if something went wonky. Thanks.