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Original poster

How much of a market do you think there would be for a 'Saturday night Au-pair' in North London?

60 replies

KatyMac · 05/08/2013 21:18

DD (15 nearly 16) is studying in London at the weekends. She needs to stay over Saturday night

Would marketing her as a babysitter/au-pair be a good way to solve her problem. She is fairly child savvy (I run a nursery from home)

Obviously this is slightly tongue in cheek but I'm just canvassing in case it might work(& DD's safety would be my priority)

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Original poster
KatyMac · 20/10/2013 21:38

The school is looking for me (& I am somewhat of a worry wort so I need it to be very safe)

But I have to agreed 4 hrs travelling 6hrs course - collapse in front of telly, 6 hrs course the next day & 4hrs home sounds better than coming home & going back mind you only doing one course sounds better

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petitdonkey · 20/10/2013 21:27

Someone suggested asking the school if a teacher would be interested and I think that's a great idea - no way I would want a 16yr old in a central London YHA on their own... I think a family is the only way forward. I would also have that arrangement happily but no longer live in London.

OldRoan · 20/10/2013 21:23

They wouldn't necessarily need to be on her train, you could get them cheap advance tickets. They just need to be there for the evening really.

It would bump the cost up, but might still work out cheaper. Or even the two of them in a travelodge room.

Original poster
KatyMac · 20/10/2013 21:13

But wouldn't I have to pay for their train fare too.....mind you it might work- let me think

YHA - I got that far too - she will be 16 soon; but she is a bit wary of a dormitory

I've agreed to just this next half-term 9th Nov-7th Dec she will be knackered

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OldRoan · 20/10/2013 21:00

Wait, sorry, have just seen you have to be 16.

Not such a brilliant plan after all. Do you know any studenty types who would stay with her? You could get them each a bed and the student would have a free weekend in London?

OldRoan · 20/10/2013 20:58

YHA seem to take under 18s? You have to be in a room with an adult if you are under 13, but I've got through to the booking/payment page just putting 1 under-18 in and it hasn't stopped me. She could have a private room or a shared room of women (who would probably look after her!). There is one opposite King's Cross which isn't a fantastic area but would be handy for travel?

Would that be an option for a few weeks until she has made friends, then she could sofa-hop with them?

Nannyme1 · 20/10/2013 20:49

When does the course start?

Original poster
KatyMac · 20/10/2013 20:20

Bump as it's coming closer and I need a clever solution

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Original poster
KatyMac · 07/08/2013 11:31

Grin HSMM

Umm she's around the northern line finishing at 4:30ish starting in central London at 11

I'm still not completely convinced it's a great idea.....but I'm playing with it

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HSMMaCM · 07/08/2013 08:23

Is there anyone else on her course who could help (for a small fee). If I lived nearer I would offer, but DD would keep her up all night chatting!

mikulkin · 07/08/2013 00:49

If I didn't have live in au pair I would defo be interested! I think it is a wonderful idea - you just need of course meet the family before you let your dd to stay with them.

Renovatinghouse · 06/08/2013 22:55

Hi Katy! It's not a bad idea - unusual but not bad. At what time would she finish her course and where in London does she need to go?

Kiriwawa · 06/08/2013 17:22

Were I still in London, I'd definitely do it. I'd love to be able to go out on a Saturday night, even if it's just to the cinema or have a night off from doing bedtime (single parent).

I'm not there any more though :(

What are the dates? I could ask my (very nice) North London friends if any of them would be interested? Assume she'd want her own room

CelticPromise · 06/08/2013 17:16

Where is the school? I might go for it two or three times, not every week though. I reckon mumsnet could cover it Smile

Karoleann · 06/08/2013 17:11

Maybe put an ad up in the noticeboard section of netmums?
Personally I'd lie and put her in the travel lodge - especially if she's nearly.
Its still maybe worth contacting the college - one of the tutors would maybe want the a bit of extra cash at the weekend.

Original poster
KatyMac · 06/08/2013 13:05

I think everyone else is Local(ish) - well London

DD is the only dipstick travelling hundreds of miles Wink

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drinkyourmilk · 06/08/2013 12:54

Can the school suggest anything? She can't be the only one who is / has been in this position.

Original poster
KatyMac · 06/08/2013 12:43

If she were studying in Brighton you could have her!!

(Un)fortunately it's a top London school & Travelodge won't have 15yos Wink

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drinkyourmilk · 06/08/2013 08:46

Shame she's not in Brighton.
I would happily put her up on a Saturday. Though she might think its a bit odd as we don't have kids yet.

Original poster
KatyMac · 06/08/2013 07:41

This morning it's much less of a good idea Wink

But worth exploring I guess to know that...

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GotMyGoat · 05/08/2013 22:04

I'm on the northern line! It's a very very long line though.

For an 18 year plus its a fantastic idea, but 16 does sound a bit scary. Then again, many families 'foster' foreign exchange students so this isn't very different, you just need someway to check people's ID - I suppose only families with somebody CRB/DBS checked would help?

Original poster
KatyMac · 05/08/2013 22:01

Northern line would do I guess

Silly isn't it - there is almost no chance I'd actually do it(I'm far too much of a wuss), but it's a great idea in theory in practise? Too scary!

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Fairyloo · 05/08/2013 21:59

I love the idea and would be interested but I'm further north

SilasGreenback · 05/08/2013 21:57

If I lived in London we would go for this sort of arrangement - so you might find someone. I think you need to target the area near where her course is rather than just London or she could have a long commute.

Original poster
KatyMac · 05/08/2013 21:55

I guess I need someone who works Saturday night (term-time only)

That would work

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