Au Pair/Live In Nanny - Free accommodation?

[Sprinkles212]

I'd like to canvass some opinions. I am returning full-time to the workplace soon (almost completed a law degree) and I have 3 school age children that are all in full time education now, youngest has just started.

I am a single parent and have no family support local to me.
If you were an au pair or a nanny, would you consider working for a family with a reduced rate of pay but with free accommodation that would include utilities?

Naturally there would be a mutually agreeable contract put in place. The individual in question would be deemed as self employed and so responsible for their own tax etc.

Am I living in cloud cuckoo land or is this actually doable? Has anyone else out there got any experience, from either party?

My au pair was from a country where English was her first language. There are various places out there. Republic of Ireland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, I think Canada are allowed too. A large number of countries such as the Netherlands, Scandi countries, Germany and Austria also have very fluent English speakers although English is not their first language. If you are concerned about their fluency in English, interview them over Skype.

My DD is an au pair , she's in great demand as she has an English degree and plays several instruments, so is happy to give music lessons. She is off to Verona next.
Typically she gets around £75-£100 a week and free board and lodging. She has stayed in some truly amazing houses with lovely people. She is generally not expected to do any housework and her role is usually just to teach the children English and play with them for 4 hours in the evenings.
Most families have cleaners and cooks!
She does have British friends currently working in other English speaking countries, one as close as Ireland!
Check out Au Pair world online.