How does the process work?

How Does It Work?

At Babs Au Pair Agency, we guide you from your initial enquiry through the entire au pair placement. Personal support, careful candidate selection, and finding the right match are at the heart of our service.

Step 1 – Application

Once you complete and submit the online application form on our website, you will receive a confirmation of your application within a few days.

Your application is completely free of charge and without obligation.

After receiving your application, we will contact you to arrange an introductory meeting at your home. During this visit, we will:

• Get to know your family.
• Discuss your wishes and expectations.
• Inspect the au pair’s bedroom and the sanitary facilities, as required by Dutch regulations for recognised au pair agencies.

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Step 2 – Introduction and Intake

During the intake meeting, we discuss:

• Your family composition.
• Your expectations of the au pair.
• The duties the au pair will perform.
• Working hours and free time.
• The au pair programme.
• Programme fees.
• Payment terms.
• The rights and responsibilities of both the host family and the au pair.

Following the intake, the host family and Babs Au Pair Agency sign a placement agreement. This agreement outlines:

• The profile of the candidate you are looking for.
• The preferred start date.
• Placement fees.
• Programme terms and conditions.

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Step 3 – Selecting Suitable Candidates

Based on your requirements, we begin searching for a suitable candidate.

If we already have a suitable au pair in our database, we will send you one or more carefully selected candidate profiles.

If no suitable candidate is available, we share your family profile with our trusted international partner agencies, who actively recruit candidates that match your preferences.

Every candidate undergoes a thorough selection process, including:

• A comprehensive intake.
• A personal interview.
• Reference checks.
• Assessment of English language skills.
• Evaluation of motivation, childcare experience, and personality.

We look beyond experience alone. We also consider character, values, cultural background, and the expectations of both the host family and the au pair.

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Step 4 – Finding the Right Match

Once we have found a suitable candidate, you will receive the au pair’s complete profile.

We then arrange a video interview between your family and the candidate. This gives both parties the opportunity to get acquainted and ask questions.

After the interview, we speak separately with both the host family and the candidate to discuss their impressions and determine whether both feel comfortable moving forward.

If necessary, additional video interviews can be arranged before a final decision is made.

The placement is confirmed only when both the host family and the candidate are confident that they are a good match.

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Step 5 – Preparing for the Au Pair’s Arrival

After the placement has been confirmed, we guide both the host family and the au pair through all preparations.

We assist with:

• Planning the journey to the Netherlands.
• Information about the mandatory au pair insurance.
• Preparing for the arrival.
• Practical guidance for both parties.

Before arrival, the host family receives a practical checklist covering:

• Arranging the au pair insurance.
• Preparing the au pair’s room.
• Scheduling registration with the local municipality.
• Discussing house rules and the daily schedule.

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Step 6 – Programme Fees

Intake Fee

A one-time €100 intake fee is charged for the introductory meeting.

This fee applies within:

• A radius of 100 km from Apeldoorn (Netherlands).
• A radius of 200 km from Apeldoorn for Belgium and Luxembourg.

For greater distances, an additional €0.30 per kilometre is charged.

Payment Schedule

Upon a successful placement, the programme fee is paid in two instalments.

First instalment (75%)

Payable after the host family accepts the candidate and both parties sign the placement agreement.

Second instalment (25%)

Payable within eight days after the au pair arrives at the host family’s home.

Contribution to Overseas Partner Agencies

For every successful placement, Babs Au Pair Agency pays a commission to its overseas partner agency for recruiting and selecting the candidate.

This commission may be up to €200 per candidate.

To help cover these costs, a contribution of €40 per successfully placed au pair is charged to the host family.

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Support During the Programme

Our support does not end when the au pair arrives.

Throughout the entire programme, we remain the main point of contact for both the host family and the au pair.

Our ongoing support includes:

• Regular contact with both parties.
• Guidance with questions or concerns.
• Mediation in case of conflicts.
• Scheduled evaluation meetings.
• Personal support whenever needed.

Our goal is to ensure a positive experience in which both the host family and the au pair feel safe, supported, and at home.

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Emergencies and Placement Guarantee

We are available for both host families and au pairs in the event of emergencies.

If, despite everyone’s best efforts, the placement proves unsuccessful during the trial period, we will carry out the complete matching and selection process again free of charge.

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What’s Included?

Our service includes:

• Personal intake interview and home visit.
• Candidate screening and selection.
• Reference checks.
• Guidance throughout the matching process.
• Support with preparations before the au pair arrives.
• Ongoing support throughout the entire au pair programme.
• Mediation in the event of any issues.

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What’s Not Included?

Unless otherwise stated, the following costs are not included:

• Airfare.
• Weekly pocket money for the au pair.
• Au pair insurance.
• Visa and legalisation fees (if applicable).
• Language course fees.
• The au pair’s personal expenses.

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How Long Does the Process Take?

On average, it takes 3 to 6 weeks to find a suitable au pair. The exact timeframe depends on your requirements and the availability of suitable candidates.

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Questions?

If you have any questions about our process or would like more information, please feel free to contact us.

Babs Au Pair Agency

Telephone: +31 (0)55 534 7232

We look forward to helping you find a reliable and suitable au pair for your family.