Can you get an AuPair for just a few hours a week?

[WimpleOfTheBallet]

I'm not sure what I need...DH works full time and I work from home...I've a 6 year old and a 2 year old and as the business has grown it's apparent I can't cope with housework and entertaining the DC anymore.

I dont earn a huge amount but it's enough to pay for a bi of help... and don't want DD (2) in full time childcare....I would ideally like someone who could come in maybe two or three days for about three hours.

Someone who could entertain DD and perhaps tidy up a bit....is that possible? Is it more of a Mothers help I want?

An au par lives with you, so to get an au pair you'll need a spare bedroom, to pay them about £80 per week, provide their food and other things, and they work about 25 hours a week.
Presuming you don't have the space or need that much help, then yes, a livel out person who comes in for short periods to help with tidying up and non-sole care childcare is a mothers help.
Getting someone very part-time is always tricky. Gumtree is a good place to look, as well as talking to friends. Sometimes au pairs do extra work on the side, or it may suit a student.

Bugger. I do have room for a Aupair and could budget for it...but don't fancy someone living in.

Will look on Gumtree.

Yes, do. I've found p/t mothers helps in the past, but it did take persistence. Ask around, maybe put ads in local newsagent window, that kind of thing, as well as putting an ad on your local gumtree.

I had one girl who was training to be a nurse, who was great, but then got too busy with college work. Then another who was on her gap year and doing part time jobs before traveling. Then a girl in her final year of Alevels who had 3 free afternoons a week. None of them stayed very long - 6 months ish, as their lives just moved on.

Because its not sole care as you'll be at home, its fine to use someone unqualified and without formal experience. I always choose girls with younger siblings, as they seem to have the most rapport with my DC.

I found all 3 of them absolutely rubbish at even the simplest of household tasks, however!

Now have an AP, as need more help at the moment.