How much should I pay an au pair?

[Fiona1234]

I have twin boys aged 3 and a baby on its way. I want to get a live in au pair to start next month and help me mainly with the boys mornings and evenings. Really I would like help 8-10 hours a day but I am sure there will be times where no help is required.

How much should I be paying a live in au pair in this respect?

Thank you.

I think an au pair can only work 25-30 hours a week so if you're looking for 8-10 hours a day it sounds as though you'll need a live-in nanny not an au pair.

With a new baby and twins for 8-10 hours a day you really need a nanny, which of course will cost a lot more due to her experience and/or qualifications. Sorry

An au-pair (who would typically work around 25 hours a week) would be paid under the NICs Lower Earning Limit threshold of £107 per week, so if it is their only income source, their employer does not have to operate PAYE.

If you are wanting an au-pair to be on duty / on call for 40-50 hours a week, then that is certainly more like a live-in nanny. It may be £250 a week, perhaps more. You would then need to operate PAYE.

If you just need help in the morning and late afternoon for example, then an au-pair doing say 5 hours per day could well work out fine. Are your boys going to pre-school/nursery? An au-pair could help with breakfast and taking the boys to pre-school, then collecting them from pre-school, then doing some laundry duties, that sort of thing.

Agree you want too many hours for even an au pair plus. When would they fit English lessons in?

You definitely want a mothers help or junior nanny and there are lots of childcare students about to finish up their course who might be interested. That would cost you minimum wage live out or around £250 gross live in depending on location.