Would this appeal to an au pair?

[Mh0296]

Hello!
I would like some opinions on whether this would appeal as an au pair job...
I have DTs, aged 4, who will be in full time school from September and a baby. I am undecided as to whether I will go back to work after mat leave but the AP option would only happen if I became a SAHM, if not I'd look for a nanny who would look after all 3 girls together. I had a mother's help when the older two were very little (before pre-school age) who was fab,and helped me stay sane! I am however now looking for someone who would speak French with the DTs as I imagine once they're in school in English all day their French will suffer (DH is French, so girls are pretty much bilingual at the moment).
As I will be around all the time, I was really just looking for someone that would help out around bath/bed time... Watch kids whilst I run one of them to ballet/Take the child to ballet... play with kids around dinner time so I could cook/stimulate their French a bit. Just be a big sister really. Would they feel 'watched' or uneasy that I was always there?

Was also hoping that they could have the littlest one for an hour in the morning a couple of times a week (maybe take her to French music class that is 5 mins from our house?) which would give me time to go for a run/go to an exercise class Etc. Is this allowed? DDs safety is obviously my top priority, but is there a difference between an au pair babysitting for an hour or a local uni student? Or is this a big no-no? Would she be allowed to babysit all 3 on the odd evening or is this not allowed?

Second concern would be the amount of time I could give to an au pair. I was an au pair many moons ago and the family treated me like their long lost daughter, helped me learn the language, 'cultural' experiences, etc. I worry that with 3 young DCs, I wouldn't be able to do the same and AP would be unhappy. Would obviously try my best though! DH worries we would lose 'our' time together inthe evening - do APs sit with you all night long, every night?

We have a spare room with ensuite, live near a tube station, could pay for Oyster card and there are lots of colleges around where I'm sure there'd be an English course. No real housework, just maybe a quick tidy up after breakfast time/stack dishwasher, help kids tidy their rooms and keep her own room tidy/do own washing.

Do you think I'd have any applicants?

You'll have applicants for any au pair job, it's the quality of the applicants that is variable.

I think the fact that you will be at home and around will put some people off. It makes the job harder. There will be candidates who will be happy with it as well.

Looking after the baby for an hour or so is fine (depending on the specific person obviously), as is babysitting in the evening.

How much help/input the au pair needs and how much time she spends with you will depend on the individual. If you go for someone older, who has lived away from home before they'll probably be a bit more independent.

Thanks for replying, outraged.
So the main things that would put people off would be: me being a SAHM, wanting someone who has had some form of babysitting experience for an actual baby and wanting someone a little bit more independant.
What about the whole speaking French to DCs thing? Maybe I was less motivated as an AP when I was one, but I would have loved to have been able to speak English to the French kids I was looking after. But maybe if they already have a good level of English they wouldn't want to do that?

I think the speaking French is fine although it will further limit your field of potential au pairs. A lot of au pairs ay the moment are Spanish, but obviously that would be no good for you (unless they also speak French).

The best thing to do is advertise and see what response you get.