aupair queries

[millie75]

Hi I am thinking about talking on an pair for my two sons (2 years and 6 months old ) and i am just wondering if it is actually feasible considering our their ages and our circumstances.

Firstly my youngest was born with Down Syndrome. The reason I am looking into this option is so he can remain in his home environment.
My partner works nights and would be available all day at home until around 4pm. I would return from work at 6 / 7
We living in a small 3 bed victorian cottage. I have read the comments about the small rooms in an earlier thread but our whole house is rather small (small kitchen, living room, dining room) I could accommodate a single bed wardrobe with draws under and a desk but it would be tight.

Yes - you could take on an Au Pair for those hours, in that situation if you wanted to - though personally I'd go for a childminder or live out part time nanny - but that's only because I wouldn't want an Au pair living in... if you are happy with that, it's a good option.

When does your partner sleep? If they are asleep, then they are not caring for their children. Some aupairs may have baby experience and be fine for half an hour, bit longer perhaps but some may have no experience at all of babies or toddlers.

Cindy34 Yes he does sleep from 4am until 12pm so the aupair would look after the children from 7:30am until 12pm ( 4.5 hours) and then from 4am until 6am (2 hours 6.5 hours total daily) is that too many hours for an au pair?

... and that would only be 3 days a week, maybe some babysitting.

4-6pm is a really bad time for most babies and toddlers, as they are tired. Witching time it is sometimes called.

Too many hours for a real aupair - limit is 5 hours. Many aupairs are not limited in hours but caring for very young children is not usual as the aupair tends to have very little experience. They are more suited to helping around the home, rather than providing childcare.

7:30-12 is really sole charge isn't it? Your dh is not there to care for baby whilst aupair plays with toddler.

It will depend on the individual person, some aupairs are great, others are not. Aim for someone who already knows about babies.

I think that is too much. When I was an aupair years ago in London, the family had a similar arrangement. Just one baby, but dad worked nights and mum worked days. It was a nightmare to keep baby quiet while dad was sleeping. Plus he never got up at the time he was meant to. I left them within 6 weeks

I don't think it's a job for an au pair really. The hours are ok, 19.5 hours a week is fine, but not looking after a 2 year old (who I'm assuming has some additional needs) and a 6 month old for extended periods at a time. You need a nanny.

Au pairs are babysitters not childminders/nannies - 6.5 hours a day sole charge of a baby and a toddler is a lot to take on. I think you need to pay more for someone with some experience/training.