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Original poster

What to pay part-time Au Pair who doesn't live in?

36 replies

lljkk · 08/01/2013 07:37

Trying to avoid after school club which DC strongly dislike.

I need a sensible and reliable adult or nearly adult to chivvy 3 DC (primary school age) to school (1-1.25 hours in morning) and for 2.5-3.25 hours after school (mostly 2.5 hours but sometimes DH gets held up getting home).

After school I hoped the Au pair might also:

  • unload or load the dishwasher,
  • make packed lunches,
  • help DC get after school snacks
  • peel and chop veg for our tea

No need to drive or ferry them to any activities, do need to be willing to play a few child games, deal with vomit or mess should it arise (usually doesn't). Mostly just need to hold the fort.

May only 2 days/week, though, it just depends what work I can get for myself! and NOT a live-in position. Would be ideal if they they had the flexibility to work 10 hour days in the school holidays, else it would be a term-time only Au Pair position (I'd use KidClub in hols).

£30/day, and £70/day in holidays? Is that too low? I live far from London or Home Counties. Would anyone want a job like that?

OP posts:
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timetosmile · 08/01/2013 21:36

oh, and pm me if you are in Yorkshire as I may be able to help Smile

timetosmile · 08/01/2013 21:34

I pay my very p/t nanny-housekeeper/fort-holder £10ph. She comes an afternoon a week and does chores, then picks 2 primary aged DCs up and looks after them and gives them tea.

As ginberry said, mine is an older lady whose own children are grown, and formal nursery/childcare qualifications were not that important to me as the children are older.

The NI/tax people have a helpful online questionnaire to work out if he/she would be employed or self employed so you'd know wat's what..maybe Mr.A could point you in the right direction?

But don't give up hope of finding someone to help - or indeed, a supportive employer yourself (mine lets me come to work after the morning school run in lieu of a short lunch break)

Ginberry · 08/01/2013 21:27

What you require could be a lovely job for either a student or perhaps more likely an older lady who doesn't need a "salary" but wants to do something for some pin money. For this type of person, a position which is really just child minding with opportunity to look at a mag/spend time texting might be very appealing. For anyone else, the fact that they're not really "doing" much won't get rid of their need to earn a living wage, which isn't really possible on the amount of hours you need.

Also, although it would be hard for this person to find another job to fill the hours you're not using, they might have income from other sources, in which case they could be over the tax threshold which you asked about further up the thread. This isn't my area of expertise but my understanding is that if you're paying someone and are liable to pay their tax, it's not open to you to "claim" the first tranche of their earnings as "yours" and therefore exempt from income tax. The person just has a tax code and their tax has to be charged according to that across all their jobs. I think that's how it works anyway.i'm. Sure Mr A will be able to correct me if not.

Original poster
lljkk · 08/01/2013 10:16

Gawd knows how many hours, I have to find a job first myself!
Most of what I'm looking at is barely above minimum wage itself.
Definitely sounds way too complicated (too easy to get it wrong & then go to jail if I get it wrong, right?) if I have to start calculating NI & tax.
Oh well, holiday club it will have to be, then.

OP posts:
nannynick · 08/01/2013 09:51

Their age will be a factor, as NMW is banded in age ranges and as they do not live as part of your family you will need to comply with NMW legislation.

They could be below the income tax and NI thresholds but how would you know about all their sources of income? Agree a gross wage, so then your pay calculation is salary plus Employers NI. www.mranchovy.com/calc/ can give you a very good indication of what Employers NI would be. Employers NI changes year to year, so look at 2013/14 tax year for what it becomes in April.

How many hours per week would they be working for you?

Original poster
lljkk · 08/01/2013 09:33

If what I'm suggesting is on the low side, then what would be a realistic salary, especially considering if I have to pay NI+tax etc? But wait... The tax allowance is £9025/annum (£177/week), and I'm only proposing £60 to £80/week, so how would the person possibly reach the tax or NI thresholds? Confused I guess I could ring an agency to ask re expected job rates, I presume that's one of the more expensive ways to employ someone, though?

I thought someone would say I should call it a "Mother's Help", not upgrade to Nanny, lol. No wiping bottoms involved, either.

I suppose what will happen is IF I get a job we will start with after school club and then advertise in case I can find an person willing to take on (whatever it's called) job. I was just trying to get an idea of realistic pay rates.

It would mostly involve the person sitting around texting on their phone, but I accept the going rate for that is more than I can earn.

OP posts:
Blondeshavemorefun · 08/01/2013 08:33

As others have said you are describing a nanny - not an au pair as these live with you as part of your family and generally learn better English when children are at school

The money you are offering for before/after school care is low - it is hard to find another job around these hours so often tend to pay a slightly higher rate to compensate

annh · 08/01/2013 07:58

You are not looking for an aupair but a part-time nanny. They exist but the split hours at beginning/end of the day are difficult. I have had a number of after-school nannies but have managed to do the mornings myself. I think your daily rate is on the low side for potentially 4.5 hours work, difficult to comment on the daily rate because it's not clear exactly how long the day would be. If you are regularly employing the nanny on fixed days then you are also her employer and responsible for paying tax and NI on her behalf. Good places to advertise could be childcare.co.uk, Nannyjob or Gumtree if you have a local version. The job might attract a student or a nanny with own child, although as I said I think the split hours tend to mean that applicants will find it difficult to fit any other work in around yours.

Sleepwhenidie · 08/01/2013 07:56

Yes, we have someone who does this and she was hired as mothers help/nanny and is paid accordingly. Having said that, you may find someone older with grown up kids or as you say, a young graduate looking for work who would do it, but it obviously won't provide a living wage, nor would the morning/afternoon split allow many options for the person to find a second job...

Kiriwawa · 08/01/2013 07:48

I agree with Zuleika

ZuleikaD · 08/01/2013 07:47

To my eye this is not an au pair position, it's a nanny position. An au pair lives with you and is a member of the family.