Is my aupair being cheeky? Says it is hard for her to walk 25 min each way for school run.

But the AP knows, and she is not FORCED to take up this position. This is what the job entails, she can say no to the offer and look elsewhere, or she can say yes and deal with it.

FWIW, I think that Blueshoes should look for another AP as this one is hesitant. I am sure there are outdoor types who would love the idea of this.

Blueshoes, have you tried Aupair World? I got my last AP from there, it is really good. I was inundated with applications, got around 30 a day!

5 hours a day childcare and housework. That's fine.

But 2 hours of the 2.5 hours childcare is walking about with a buggy. So she's only really minding the kids for half an hour a day.

Can that be right?

that's good to hear starry night

Southeastastra. I am sure that is also sometimes the case, and it is sad. My last AP had lots of other nanny and AP friends and told me some horror stories, but the girls had the sense to leave and find new AP or live-in nanny positions fairly easily. Mostly she told me positive happy stories, about AP receiving bonuses and gifts for jobs well done, being taken on holiday, and really beginning to care for the family, and going to visit later.

Most host families chose to pay the AP's language course (often in the region of £300-£600 depending on where and lenght of course) either from the beginning, or some time in when they see that the AP and the family is clicking and the arrangement works out well.

MY last AP chose a different course as her English was so good, which I paid for, and at the end of her stay, we let her work reduced hours while she was jobhunting and flat hunting, and it did not take her long to find a well paid job in her chosen career field. She is now extremely happy and grateful that we helped her settle in her new country, and we have a new friend, and a fab babysitter!

I can't comment on the financial aspect but is 25minsx4 really considered a long walk? No wonder we're a nation of lard-arses.

When I went to grammar school at 11yo I walked 20mins to the train station, then a 25min walk at the school end, which I did in reverse order in the evenings, come rain, come shine. When working I never had less than a 35min walk each way and walked everywhere with ds1 in a coach-built pram as I didn't drive in those days.

Ime, London rarely has such dreicht weather that walking is a non-starter - when did London last have a frost, fgs?? A drop of rain won't melt anyone and maybe if there is a day that's beyond the pale, a taxi would suffice.

only on MN could there be a thread about a 25 min walk that reached 265 posts

i think some employers do sometimes expect too much from an au pair. it's great if it is treated like a cultural exchange, then everyone benefits from the experience.

but i feel some mothers do use them as a cheap childcare service.

sorry blueshoes just a little rant

Kerrymum, it is not a pittance. Being an AP is a cultural exchange. You go to a different country, learn the language and the culture, and have free accommodation, living expenses, and pocket money in exchange for 5 hours child/domestic related work. The going rate is £55 per week. That is a fixed sum set by AP agencies run under UK legislation. The idea is that you should be treated as one of the family, a little like being an exchange student, muck in with the housework like a grown up daughter would, come on family outings should you wish. Your host family is much like your "mentors" in this new country during the period of your stay. £55 is ample pocket money when all you have to spend it on is coffee shops, clothes, make up etc.

au pair is different though isn't it? I worked for board and lodging (agreed although I ended up being given a small amount of money as well on top of the agreement) on a farm in NZ because I wanted to travel round NZ, which I did. I was in University holidays, not trying to support a family or whatever; it was cheap travel; as are most au pair positions. I worked 7/8 hour days as well.....

i don't know what to think really - on one hand if people are willing to work for that money. it's supply and demand. but it makes me uneasy

Minimum wage does not apply to live-in positions, nor does it apply to au pairs although the whole au pair thing confuses me as officially au pairs are only supposed to come from a very limited number of countries. I suppose someone coming from an EU country can call themselves whatever they like and ern whatever they can get. If they choose to accept au pair wages, that's their choice.

KM she gets a room in their house and all her meals as well, hardly under minimum wage when you consider lodgings and food is it?

I must admit I wonder what I'd think if I had gone abroad at 20 as an AP and been asked to walk 25 minutes 4x a day in a strange city to do a school run . It's a good point.

jeeez. I do this everyday. It is not a lot of walking.

Mind you my three year old mostly walks it and has done since she was 2.5 but sometimes she needs a rest so I have an e3.

Yes it can be a bit dreary sometimes and yes you sometimes get wet but it is also a nice moodlifter to get out and about.

Find another au pair.

I have always been athletic and would have enjoyed walking.

I'd have worked on getting that girl out of the buggy asap, though , because really, cylonbabe is right, a child is better off with as much exercise as possible.

There'll be someone out there who won't find that a problem.

Good luck in your search!

CM- London is never dark at 2pm. PMSL.

Agree with expat. Get someone else (or ask her upfront how much of a problem it will be). I would have loved a job walking kids too and fro- would have much preferred to mountains of ironing. Walk further than that with ds1 many days; quite enjoy it. There will be someone out there who will want the job.

It's honestly not worth stressing about, blue.

You do have ample time and it sounds like a desirable locale.

Hopefully you'll find someone even better and then you won't have to worry about this anymore.

but didn't you mention a track?

I wouldn't be comfortable walking in the dark in blackheath in a road with little traffic

but then I am merde-de-poulet