We did not personally know anyone that… We did not personally know anyone that had used an au pair, so we really went into this blind. Everyone in the agency has been so amazing and helpful. You are immediately connected with three different people in the agency, at least one of which lives in the area. They have been so quick to respond and help us whenever we needed it. We just matched with an au pair and cannot wait for her to join us in a few months.

Brazilian au pairs in St Louis This has been a lifesaver for us, we moved back home to St. Louis after being gone for a long time. It was during Covid, did not realize the schools were so backed up. The shortest wait of the time we could find was 14 months, and we had no idea what to do. So we had a nanny, she was really good, but unfortunately unreliable with her schedule, and that just messed up our work schedules. So I talked to some friends and somebody suggested a au pair, it has been wonderful. If you have the space in your house for it, I don’t really think there’s any other way to go. The cost upfront feels like a lot, but when you average it out, it is much more reasonable than paying for a full-time nanny or a daycare. Plus, in our opinion, the fact that we have somebody to take our kid around to the zoo and museums and the science center, etc. as opposed to just being a daycare with a bunch of other little kids is much better for his learning overall. So I really cannot think of any downsides with the program, if you have the space in your house, and you’re OK sort of figuring out how to incorporate somebody else into your day-to-day life….This is the way to go.

Simple process The process is fairly seamless and the network of Au Pairs is extensive. Finding Au Pairs to connect with on the website was a breeze. The profile was pretty easy to fill in. The au pair profiles and videos are generally thorough and relevant. The website provides good tips. We have a great local coordinator who was very helpful through the process. The search feature could be improved upon to filter on more characteristics relevant to a search (i.e. filtering out au pairs willing to watch fewer kids than will be needed for a given family)

Overall my experience was good Overall my experience was good, I got what I wanted from it . I would say the pay is something I and other au pairs have complained about. We work too hard for too little.

Mixed Experience with Hit-or-Miss Au Pair Agency My family has been using this agency since 2019, and the journey has been quite a rollercoaster. We've had the pleasure of welcoming three amazing au pairs into our home, two of whom joined us during a rematch phase. However, the experience has been inconsistent, to say the least. Before the pandemic hit, the au pairs underwent a thorough two-week, in-person onboarding process. Since then, this crucial step has been eliminated, and the impact has been glaring. There's been a noticeable decline in the understanding of the job and their responsibilities. When I inquired about reinstating the onboarding process, the response was dishearteningly casual: "the girls didn't like it." As a host, it's unsettling to have au pairs arrive at my doorstep unaware that they've signed up for a childcare role. Furthermore, the agency appears to operate with a one-person-deep approach to every task. When someone goes on vacation, communication becomes nonexistent. It's frustrating and leaves us feeling abandoned when we need assistance or clarification. On a brighter note, the Local Childcare Consultants (LCCs) have been a saving grace. Their dedication and effort in fostering relationships with both families and au pairs are commendable. It's evident that they invest the time and energy to ensure a positive experience for all parties involved.