Start Interviewing NOW!

If you plan on looking for childcare this summer, now is the time to begin.

When considering your live-in childcare provider, get the kids in on the process. That is not to say let the children decide completely, but I am not alone in advising you to consider the children's opinion. Summer Blackhurst blogged about it recently too:  Matching the Right Au Pair with your Kids.

We both agree that, since your kids will be spending the majority of time with their caregiver, they might have some input as to who will be the best match.

When you are interviewing, the parents should narrow down your options by the skills you need, such as driving or CPR/First Aid certifications (although these can be obtained later). You might want your kids to learn a certain language, so interviewing only Spanish-English speakers might make sense.

Once the adults have narrowed the applicants to a reasonable number, perhaps 3-5 au pairs, the children might take part in some of the second interview. Keep in mind what types of questions your potential au pair asks about the children. Are they genuinely interested and trying to find out about the kids, or are the questions very general in nature and the children are never mentioned again. If the au pair seems genuinely interested, he or she will want to speak to the children while you Skype or make some special effort toward communicating or engaging the kids.

These are the keepers, from my experience, and Summer's too. When au pairs ask about the kids and the kids are somewhat involved in the matching process, all parties tend to be happier when your au pair arrives.

With the school year closing in on summer, now is a great time to complete your Host Family Application and give yourself plenty of time for interviewing your next au pair candidate. He or she may be in your home in 6-8 weeks or less! Full time au pairs work up to 45 hours per week (not more than 10 hours/day) for less than $7.35 per hour! Ask about our Locals Only Discount or start the process online at www.goaupair.com/Providence today!

Contact me, Joan Lowell, your Local Area Representative for Go Au Pair in the RI area; I can be reached at 401.309.1925 or jlowell@goaupair.com.