Nanny/housekeeper experiences sought

[annepande]

I'm looking to get some help around the house and I really can't figure out what the right solution is. My son is in nursery 3 days a week and I need a back-up help at home, since my husband travels a lot. I'm uncertain about an au pair, as I would like someone who could also do heavy cleaning, cooking etc. At the same time, I like the flexibility of an au pair, as I need someone for those unexpected situations, say I feel ill or need to be somewhere. Plus, we would also like to be able to go out once in a while on the weekends. Does anyone have experiences to share - au pairs/nanny-housekeepers/others - part-time/full-time???
Thanks.

I am a nanny (not a housekeeper) and I live in for all the reasons you describe - one employer works abroad often and I can be flexible about weekend/evening babysitting.

My charge is at nursery 2 days a week and will start pre-school in September but I work full-time and do nanny duties when he's at nursery (batch cooking, cleaning his room, laundry etc)

If you have the means it sounds like a live-in nanny/housekeeper would suit you.

I wouldn't completely rule out an au-pair - especially if you live somewhere where nannies are less usual. Our au-pair cleans for about 4 hrs a week - but the critical bit is that this was clearly part of the role we were offering right from recruitment stage. For our location & role there's more attraction in it for an au-pair (language learning etc) than for a nanny.

I suggested my daughter looks for an au pair job when she goes to uni. She's tri lingual great with kids clean and tidy and can cook. She'd save a fortune, get paid a little and have somewhere nice to live. Imagine the reduction on the student loan she'd have to take out.

Thanks guys, that's really helpful :).