How much do you pay an au pair in London?

[sunnymum77]

What are the various pay bands per week? I understand that there are standard au pair hours of around 25 a week, but there are also au pair plus hours of around 35 a week?

I think most I know are au pair plus as they have the kids full time in holidays and before and after school every day. Rates are between £75-£95 I think. Depends on what else they get though. Mine doesn't need to travel as school is nearby and she borrows a bike for her college. I provide all food and often give her money for treats etc. I think if you paid £75 and gave nothing else you might struggle in London.

It really depends what else you can offer. £75 for 25 hours, plus room and board and a travelcard is not unusual for London. If school holiday cover is expected it goes up to around £90 (which is 'overpaying' for 25 hours but significantly under for the 50 or so a few weeks of the year). If you systematically need 35hours and potentially even more in school holidays then you're looking at £95-110 plus the above which leaves you no wriggle room on overtime payments because you'd become liable for tax and NI.

Sometimes the pocket money can be reduced for a job with longer hours by providing additional perks like gym membership but it depends how attractive the overall package is in comparison to others in a similar area. Unlike nanny wages which are crazy in zones 1 and 2, APs are happier to be closer in to the centre so you need to pay more in zone 5 or 6.