Agent Au Pair
1450 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
415-376-0202

www.agentaupair.com

Total Yearly Costs 2010/2011: $16, 654.00
Application Fee: $250.00
Additional Educational Costs: $500  Domestic transportation: from Au Pair Academy in SF to host family home (cost depends on where you are)
Discounts: none

Phone Service:   Excellent - since this is a smaller company, that recruits about 200 au pairs a year, compared to the 2000-5000 au pairs recruited yearly by the leading agencies, they can focus on customer service.  We were quickly connected to the Placement Manager, Stacy Frank, who spent lots of time discussing our options and answering all of our questions.  Stacy even recommended other agencies on the Eastern seaboard when one of our staff called to find out about getting an au pair for her daughter, who lives in NYC.  Friendly, warm, helpful staff. 

Major Agency Strengths:

1. Experienced -  They have been around for 10 years and are an experienced au pair agency - they also have brand recognition in Europe and South America.

2. Au Pair Training -  Their au pair orientation training, called the Au Pair Academy, is a full week (and is held in San Francisco) where normally all au pair orientations are 3-4 days only. This training includes the Au Pair Workbook, which summarizes all the safety lessons, etc. for the au pair in writing.  Not all agencies include this kind of instruction manual - which we think is a real bonus!

TIP:  Most smaller agencies do not conduct live orientation trainings - rather they have their au pairs view a training video in their country.  We feel that onsite and live training seminars are superior to instruction videos. 

Since their service is restricted to the Bay Area in CA, they do not have to pay for domestic flights getting their au pairs around the country after the orientation.  As a result, their fees ($6250) are significantly lower (close to $1000) lower compared to other agencies.

3.  Au Pairs - This agency recruit from over 40 countries, including China.  Most of their au pairs come from Europe (France, Germany, Spain) and Eastern Europe and South America (Mexico, Peru, Columbia).

4.  Au Pair Recruitment Information -  Literature to the au pair include full disclosure regarding what the cultural exchange really is - and not just a fun-filled travel adventure.  The brochure warns the au pair,  "the work will be challenging...you should be sure you are ready to work a full 12 months before committing to the program."

Agent Au Pair also tells the au pairs: "Being an au pair is not for everyone. Taking care of young children requires maturity, hard work and patience."  This material can be found online and is included in the au pair brochures sent to the girls requesting information.  

We support any au pair agency that really educates prospective au pairs about the nature of this program and the reality of what the job entails - taking care of children most of the day - which can be strenuous and often tedious work!

5.  Smoking:  Agent Au Pair cautions prospective au pairs that American families will not accept smokers. They state: "If you smoke and think you cannot quit before departing for the U.S. for a year, it's better not to sign up for the program."

Most, if not all, other au pair agencies do not include this important piece of information to their au pairs and they do accept smokers into their programs. You may receive a smoker who checked off "non-smoker" on her application or who feels it will be fine once they arrive at your home! 

So, if smoking is a deal breaker for you - consider using this agency!

 Major Agency Weaknesses:

1. Website Features:  Very limited website with just the basic information for both au pairs and host families. A lot of the material online is outdated, such as dates and fees and stipends (they list $157 as the current au pair stipend, which is about three years old).  

• 2011 Update:  since we have reviewed this agency last, they have updated their website and it looks much better - the information is much more organized and it is easier to click around and find stuff.  They added some very nice family and child photos, though some of them are the same that we use here on the Clearinghouse! 

2.  How to Apply:  No online application process and you download the application, fill it out and mail it back to them.

3. Matching Process:  No mention of matching process and how it is done online.

4. Limited programs (ex., no Educare au pairs, no Premier au pairs).

5. Discounts:  No mention of discounts on website (for repeat families or new families).

• Summer 2011 Update:  They just added a discount page for parents.

6. Counselors:  No mention at all of local support, but they are required to have a counselor who services your area.

• Summer 2011 Update:  the agency has added a nice page explaining what the local counselors do and they have a photo of one too!  Nicely done.

7.  Service Areas:  Service is Limited to Bay area on CA only. Small agency that recruits about 200 au pairs a year.

• Summer 2011 Update: they are no longer just limited to the Bay Area in CA and they now service over 500 au pairs a year. 

• "Agent Au Pair worked with me until they found me an au pair that turned out to be the perfect fit for our family - I was doubtful at first, but Stacy Frank really pushed me and she was right!  The au pair I wanted would have been a disaster for my children. Live and learn - this was our first experience as host parents and even though it has its ups and downs, I would do it again next year."
• "We loved our au pair and our only disappointment was that she decided to go home after the first year - she really missed us, but missed her family more!" 
• "Agent Au Pair sent us a young lady that did not speak English all that well, but it was okay since she was very bright and picked it up so fast, I was really impressed with the caliber of au pairs they recruit."
• "Our Brazilian au pair didn't drive very well and that was a huge problem for us.  I think next time I will try to match with a German au pair.  Driving is a must in our active family."