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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Is this okay for an Au Pair?

68 replies

TheGirlWithAPrince · 22/07/2020 21:29

Hey everyone im posting this on behalf of a friend as she doesnt know if this is acceptable payment for an Au Pair
So she is looking to get an au pair to help out with a 2 year old and a 3 year old - Timetable would be roughly this

Monday to wednesday
8 am - 9am Get both kids dressed after breakfast ( breakfast done by mum) - Take both toddlers to Nursery
Free til 3pm - Pick up toddlers from nursery
Play with toddlers / keep them entertained til 5pm ( clean up after them)

Thursday & Friday

10am - 2pm just look after both kids ( letting them play outside etc but no chores needing to be done other than cleaning up after the kids) maybe taking them somewhere ( park or play group or friends house etc)

Saturday and sunday Off

This would be in Newbury - how much would you pay someone per week for that? and do you think that sounds okay, there wont be any chores techniquelly just cleaning up after kids so any cups/dishes in the dishwasher, clothes put away and toys put away after use etc so general tidying

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JoJoSM2 · 23/07/2020 07:46

OP, make sure you’re not confusing an au pair with a live-in nanny.

Au pairs are young girls who come over for the experience and to improve their English. You pay them pocket money but they’re meant to be a part of your family, included in meals, family outings etc.

If you want an employee and you’re looking at hourly rates, you need a live-in nanny. £6 p/h is nonsense. You obviously need to pay them at least the minimum wage. The rate you’re allow to deduct from pay for accommodation is £8.20/day. Obviously, it’ll difficult to find a nanny for such hours.

Original poster
TheGirlWithAPrince · 22/07/2020 22:37

@namechange30000 no because otherwise people would just employ normal people and not give people accomodation and food and look after them they would just get a live out nanny

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namechange30000 · 22/07/2020 22:33

Do they not get nmw?

Original poster
TheGirlWithAPrince · 22/07/2020 22:20

@RB68 but its 14 hours a week? so that would be £6 per hour plus as said travel food and accomodation is included, so surely thats actually a really good price?

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AdriannaP · 22/07/2020 22:19

In my area au-pairs get around £100-£120 pw (South England)

RB68 · 22/07/2020 22:16

I understand often some travel is also included so bus pass or whatever or an amount on a pyt card per week. I think you are meant to treat them as if they are an older child of your own in terms of time to go to college own room, travel costs and decent pocket money for work done - personally for the hours I would say the payment smentioned were on the low side

Original poster
TheGirlWithAPrince · 22/07/2020 22:15

so everyday the kids will have a packed lunch ready for the day
Au pair can do whatever she wants during the day and would give her a travel card to do so - my friend is finding this so helpful so than you guys :D I also have 2 toddlers so finding this interesting for myself too Haha

Evening babysitting is a good idea if she wanted to earn a bit more money , Would definitely be looking at getting someone aged 20 or over and there is plenty of language schools in Newbury so she could join a class and would be able to sort out some flexibility for that

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parietal · 22/07/2020 22:08

that sounds fine.

Does the Thurs & Friday include lunch? I imagine the kids will get hungry between 10 and 2pm?

Our au-pair also did all the children's laundry which was v helpful, and we paid a bit more (also based in London).

When the au pair has time off, can she travel anywhere on public transport to meet friends / do stuff? It is worth making a job nice for an aupair, which might mean giving lifts to the station at weekends or otherwise enabling the aupair to get out of the house. Otherwise you get a miserable aupair who mopes in their room all the time.

CatToddlerUprising · 22/07/2020 22:05

What would be the provisions if they want to attend English classes?
Lots of info here- bapaa.org.uk/host-families/what-is-an-au-pair/

Cupidity · 22/07/2020 22:00

As long as she gets someone who is capable around young children that's absolutely fine.

I'd also get the mum to include one evening a week babysitting in the contract - she doesn't have to use it but it's nice to go out for an hour or two once the kids are asleep.

Original poster
TheGirlWithAPrince · 22/07/2020 21:57

oh also yes accomodation and food provided

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Original poster
TheGirlWithAPrince · 22/07/2020 21:56

@hellywelly3 the mum would :) She will actually be at home most of the time monday to friday working on the pc or cleaning.

I think 75- 85 would be good

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Honeyroar · 22/07/2020 21:51

That’s exactly the sort of thing I did as an au pair. It was 25 yes ago in Paris though. Sounds ok to me.

hellywelly3 · 22/07/2020 21:44

When you say free till 3pm Mon-Wed. Who would collect the kids from nursery if they were sick etc or if they couldn’t go. If it the au pair then they aren’t 100% free they’re on call so that must be reflected. Is accommodation provided?

JoJoSM2 · 22/07/2020 21:44

£70-85/week is standard it seems.

www.gov.uk/au-pairs-employment-law/au-pairs

Original poster
TheGirlWithAPrince · 22/07/2020 21:42

Would it help if the mum is still at home whilst care is being done? as she uses the time to work on her own business but she will be there to help when needed

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MsJaneAusten · 22/07/2020 21:37

I’ve never had an au pairs, but from what o understand, they shouldn’t be in sole charge of young children. So nursery drop offs etc are probably okay, but the Thursday / Friday role sounds more like a nanny than an au pair.

Original poster
TheGirlWithAPrince · 22/07/2020 21:30

oh also times can be changed to suit part time jobs etc as long as 9am drop off and 3 pm pick up from nursery stays the same :)

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