Just about to hire an au-pair for my 4 and 6 year old and wanted to check what I am offering is ok. She will be looking after them from 3-7pm 5 days per week plus babysitting once a week or fortnight. I told her that I also expect her to help the kids keep their rooms clean and tidy (and the parts (kitchen, lounge etc) and to do the kids laundry (but not ironing as we have a cleaner who does all the ironing). When she is looking after the children I would expect her to do the usual things, i.e collect from school, park, playdates, homework, cook them dinner, bath etc. I may also ask her to run errands occasionally, e.g. get bits and pieces of shopping etc. For this I was going to pay her 80 per week plus 20 towards travel. 20 is basically enough for a bus pass but not a full travelcard which is about 32 but she will not need to use the tube for the job, only the bus and even then only a couple of times a week as everywhere is within walking distance. She looked a bit dismayed when I said I didn't want to pay for a full travelcard. She will be doing a language course 5 mornings a week (9-1pm) so I think she wanted all travel paid. She will only have to top up by 11 I guess. Travel is expensive though and I often think twice about whether I need a travelcard! Obviously we will also pay for her food etc and she will have accommodation (double room overlooking the garden, sharing a bathroom with the kids) plus phone etc. Does this all sound ok or should I fork out for a full travelcard? It would mean that I am spending 110 a week on pocket money and travel, plus food (estimate at least 30) which isn't that far off what I would pay for a live out after-school nanny. Stony broke so cost is factor but want to make sure she is fairly compensated. Also a bit worried about the language course as it means she will never be able to help out in the morning. I was intending to do the school run most days but would have liked her to cover 1-2 days per week so that i can go into work early, or on time even. Any views?