Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Paid childcare

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

Original poster

Au pairs - what EXACTLY do they do????!

30 replies

oneplusone · 11/03/2008 14:37

Hi, am thinking of 'trying out' and au pair in the next few months. I have 2 DC's aged 4 and 2. The 4 year old is at school full time, the 2 year old goes to nursery 2 days a week, the rest of the time he's at home with me.

The reason i think i need an au pair is i basically feel i need some more help at home with the kids and the house. I have a cleaner who comes once a week which i don't think is enough. My DH works full time in a very pressurised job so i can't expect much from him. I do bits of work from home when i can and i also want to start a part time course at the local college in september.

Recently i seem to have caught endless colds/infections and feel i am burnt out and completely run down with trying to do everything myself pretty much singlehandedly. I have also had a huge amount of emotional turmoil in my life recently with various family problems (have another thread to deal with that!) and it has taken it's toll on my health i think.

So what can i expect from an au pair? What sort of hours do they do? What are the rates of pay? (I live in Surrey) What are the pros and cons? Where's the best place to start looking for one?

We are having a loft conversion done soon and will have 2 extra bedrooms and a shower room. The au pair will have one of the loft rooms.

I would very much appreciate the benefit of your experience. TIA

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
doubledaisy · 11/03/2008 15:11

Seems about £60 to £80 per week is normal, plus you pay a one-off fee to the agency that found you the au pair. For a happy au pair I guess £70 would do it.

Any comments from the more experienced posters eagerly awaited...

Original poster
oneplusone · 11/03/2008 14:59

Thanks sixer and doubledaisy, sounds perfect tbh! Just what i need, another pair of hands around the house, but not all day. The morning and evening chaos are the worst times usually (and sometimes during the day as DS is a bit of handful!).

Any idea of rates of pay? At this point in time i don't really care how much she costs, i think my health and sanity must be worth a fair bit surely?......

OP posts:
doubledaisy · 11/03/2008 14:53

Sorry, not got an answer but another question for anyone who's had an au pair - which agency did you use (especially useful if you had a good experience with the agency)? I've found "Childcare International" and "abc Au Pairs" - what's the normal sort of fee they charge (Childcare International says £380 for a three-month+ placing) and is there any umbrella organisation? Or who regulates au pairs?

PS oneplusone, this seems like a comprehensive list (from Childcare International web page): An au pair will know that he/she will be required to help in the home with light housework and childcare. The acceptable duties of an au pair can include washing dishes, preparing simple meals for the children, keeping the kitchen tidy and clean, loading and unloading laundry into the washing machine, ironing for the children, vacuuming, dusting, making and changing children's beds, cleaning the children's bathroom, everything to do with keeping their own room clean and tidy, light shopping, walking and feeding pets, emptying bins.
We do not expect au pairs to be asked to do gardening, spring cleaning, window cleaning, cleaning the oven other than simply wiping it out, washing carpets, washing the car, the weekly household shopping, pet training.

(I like the bit about no pet training!)

Sixer · 11/03/2008 14:49

Oh and I had to speak in English only. All the time to the DC. Therefore raising the DC as bi-lingual. (I worked in Madrid)
I must admit, i thought it was a brilliant idea and thought 'When i grow up and have DC and extra money, i would like a spanish au pair'. heee hee still no sign if one.

Sixer · 11/03/2008 14:45

I would think anything that involves the DC. So, preparing breakfasts, helping to dress, taking to school/playgroup, ironing childrens clothes. possible time off during the day. Pickups from playgroup/school, playing/creating/doing with DC. supervising dinner and washing up. Cleaning up after the DC.
I have never had an au pair. Although I did work as one when I was much younger. Above is pretty much the day i worked so 7-10.30am then 4-8pm. with one day off a week.

Swipe left for the next trending thread