Changing au pairs: How to find a new au pair
Families change au pairs either because the planned au pair stay has come to an end and they want to continue with a new au pair or there have been problems with the current stay and the family decides it would be better to continue with a different au pair.
Reasons to change au pairs
Au pair stays are by definition a temporary arrangement, so the family will periodically have to change au pairs if they want to keep enjoying the experience. Apart from that, sometimes families change au pairs due to more problematic reasons. For example, if the parents or the kids do not get along with the au pair, if expectations regarding the stay do not match or there are other disagreements.
Tips to avoid having to change au pairs
Talking really helps to avoid the conflict situations that may make it seem necessary to change au pairs. Many problems and misunderstandings can be avoided if host families and au pairs talk things over right from the start. Often host families are not used to deal with young adults. That's why learning how to communicate with your au pair is a key part of a successful au pair stay.
It also helps being informed in advance about possible au pair conflicts and how to solve them.
I am a host family. How can I change au pairs?
First of all, ask yourself why you are not satisfied with your current au pair: Are they not doing their tasks well? Are there language communication problems? Do you not get along? Before making a decision, talk to your au pair and discuss what is not working in the living situation. In many cases, problems can be solved quicker and easier than you think.
If the problems continue, the best solution is to terminate the contract and look for a new au pair. Similarly, if your au pair tells you that they want to terminate the contract, try to take it in the best possible way. Obviously, it is not an easy situation but try to understand that for some young people it is the first time they go so far from home.
Here are some tips for organizing the change of au pair:
- Talk to the au pair to avoid surprises. Ideally, you should organize the termination of the contract together.
- Respect the notice period, usually of two weeks, and use this time to find a new au pair and for your current au pair to find a new family.
- Reactivate your profile. Update your information, write in your texts that you need an au pair as soon as possible and choose one of our Premium Membership options to contact au pairs.
- Reflect on what didn’t work with the current au pair. What would you like to be different? If the new au pair is already in your country, keep legal matters in mind and inform the Immigration Office.
- Organize the arrival of the new au pair and the departure of the current one to make the transition as smooth as possible.
