The time taken to make a placement depends on how flexible you are about dates and location, and the number and size of partner agencies. Email has transformed the nanny overseas and  the au pair matching process, and instantaneous placement is possible if you have an appropriate background, meet the au pair requirements and happen to apply at a time when suitable unfilled vacancies are available. Quick placement is seldom possible for summer assignments in Europe, while in Australia we have families all year long. We recommend applying 2 months before the departure date and not more than 3 months in advance. The vast majority of au pair openings coincide with the academic year, lasting from January to December. The downloaded or posted application form should be filled meticulously. In all likelihood it will be principal information on which the matching with a family is based and making a good impression is of prime importance. There might also be a questionnaire which will help the agency to get to know your requirements in greater detail.

In addition, the application dossier which you are asked to submit usually includes one or more photos, at least two letters of reference ( which in some cases is required by law), a declaration of good health signed by a doctor, a curriculum vitae and/or a handwritten letter addressed ‘Dear Family’ describing yourself and your reasons for wanting to work as an au pair.

Recently, au pair agencies have been asking for a police check and indeed It is essential for nanny applicants. In the UK this document is provided by the Criminal Records Bureau and many entries in the directory mention a “CRB check”as a requirement of application. Normally it is the responsibility of registered agencies or employees rather than individuals to apply to the CRB. If applying to an au pair agency and supplying a photo, it does not have to be a professional shot, but you should take care to project the right image. A head and shoulders photo, preferably with you with one of your previous charges or a young cousin. Resist the temptation to send a party photo, in which the cocktail or pint of bitter you are clutching will probably create a negative impression no matter how flattering the photo may be. If you are in doubt, send along a selection from which the agency can choose.

About references, the normal procedure for au pairs is for you to collect them yourself rather than have them sent to the agency directly. School or college-leavers will need to provide a reference from their head teacher plus one of a domestic nature. This might be from a mother whose children you regularly babysit or perhaps from a holiday job which involved domestic chores.

The letter introducing yourself should mention where you were born and brought up, a description of your family and their interests, any travelling you have done either in an organised group or independently, what kind of schooling you have had and your attitude to it, any jobs, hobbies or ambitions and of course why and for how long you want to work as an au pair in Australia and why you think your personality is suitable.

With so much choice of agency, it is a good idea to contact several agencies initially, in order to compare their services. If you want to find a childcare and nanny overseas agency in a specific city or area, it is possible to check online first.

After comparing agency terms, warranty period, what is included with their au pair  program, benefits for both au pairs and families, offered support , available families,  placement process, and fees it is advisable to choose just one agency with whom to register. If you are unhappy with their service for any reason, you should contact them and tell them that you are going to apply to another one. Sharon Legg, registered with several agencies at once and shared her feedback:

I learned my lesson the hard way. While I was looking for work in France, I used three different agencies simultaneously and it all became extremely confusing. I was receiving phone calls from families and, because their English was often poor and my French non existent, I found it difficult to establish which agency they were connected with. It all became very awkward indeed and I upset a lot of people!

If you apply too widely, it can work to your disadvantage. One Italian agency refused to try o place one girl whose application she had received from six different agents.

In the first instance check the website, then email, phone or write, briefly describing any relevant experience you might have, what kind of position and country you are seeking and requesting an application form and general information about the agency. You should be able to conclude a certain amount from the tone and style of the agency literature. If in any doubt about an agency, ask them to refer you to one or more au pairs on their books who may be willing to describe their experiences with the agency and with their partner agency in your destination country. The services offered abroad differ drastically.

Using an agency is certainly the most reliable way of finding work.  Is important to consider the danger of au pair internet matches

Angie Copley is just one satisfied customer who was favourably impressed with the ease of fixing up a job abroad:

‘’After passing a BTEC course in Social Caring,  I decided I would go to Italy for a year and work as au pair or nanny. I found your website and read all about the benefits of registering with Au pair Australia and sent my application . Before I knew it,  your agency had found me a family in Sardinia. I couldn’t believe that it was so easy. All I had to do was pay for a flight out there and that was that.

Thanks for all your support
Angie Copley’’

The primary advantage of using a conventional au pair and nanny overseas agency is that it works closely with a partner agent in the target country, who can provide a local back-up service if things go awry. If an initial placement does not work out for some reason, an agency should be prepared to find a replacement ( Au pair or family) quickly. Although the level of service varies among agencies, a good agency will go to a great deal of trouble to help the new arrival with the logistics, e.g advise on travel and visas, facilitate contact with other au pairs in the vicinity,etc. For example, our agency organises trips and social activities, and provides all our au pairs with contact details of all other au pairs in Australia. None of this is available to the isolated au pair who has fixed up a family over the internet.

Judith Twycross’s experience with our agency arranging a placement in Seville for her was a textbook success;

‘’the main advantage of going through the agency was the  support offered by Au pair Australia and the fact that  I was given a choice of families over a three week period whom I could ring up and speak to myself or ask the Australian agent to check various details. This was very important to me as I had certain specifications from which I was not prepared to waver, such as I wanted to have at least two set evenings off a week and all weekends free. I also did not want babies under the age of two and I wanted to guarantee that I would be able to attend language classes. The English-speaking agent in Madrid was very helpful when I was trying to choose a family. She rang to speak to me and the family during my first month to check everything was going well and to clear up any misunderstandings. She also arranged a meeting between me and another au pair working in Seville which made the task of settling in and developing a social life considerably easier.’’

However, alongside the advantages of using an agency, the system is not guaranteed to be trouble-free. Once you lodged an application it is a good idea to keep in close communication with the au pair agency to check on the progress of your application.

Au Pair searches: Ten common misperceptions

While working at Au pair Australia, I’ve identified ten common misperceptions involved in Au pair searches in Australia. These are assumptions Australian parents make based on a set of expectations mistakenly applied to an Au pair search when looking for a nanny overseas. They are easily made because they are so common and frequently passed along. Perhaps you have heard them before. If so, don’t be so quick to buy into them as they can fool you into making a wrong decision. Here they are- the assumptions and the reality behind them. Continue reading Au Pair Searches common misperceptions →