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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Is there such a thing as a summer au pair?

17 replies

ScandiS · 22/04/2015 13:27

We have had au pairs for coming on four years but now for our % & 7 year old. However, my OH is fed up with having a third 'adult' in the house. Hence I am looking to change my PT work hours so I can collect the children from school. BUT what to do during the very long summer holiday? We obviously do not have enough annual leave to cover all the school hols And...We don't have family nearby or anyone else that would be able to take care of them. And putting them into holiday camp would cost a small fortune which we absolutely do not have.

So, I was thinking; summer au pair? Has anyone had one/does it exist???

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BlackandGold · 22/04/2015 14:35

Surely an au pair only works 25 - 30 hrs pw so this wouldn't be enough hours to cover a full week of school holidays?

OVienna · 22/04/2015 15:04

In principle you could find someone to cover the full days (with more pay) - there are no legal rules around au pairs in this country, contrary to popular belief!! - but I can't for the love of God go into that now, there have been loads of threads on this. IT's basically a summer nanny you're looking for - sod the specific job title. It won't be 80 a week full time though; but maybe not the cost of two kids in summer camp p/w (~400).

THere are lots of girls looking for summer roles; when I recruited recently for next year I had to delete about 200 applications of people who didn't read our ad properly and only wanted the summer.

HOwever, they may not WANT to work more than 25-30 hours whatever the pay you agree is. These girls could really be looking for a way to have a holiday (paid) which may not suit if you are trying to get out to work. THe girls coming for an extended period/school year seem to grasp that you depend on them. A summer one MIGHT, but then again might not...

Springtimemama · 22/04/2015 15:08

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ptumbi · 22/04/2015 15:11

OVienna (this means nothing to me ) where do you recruit from? I assume there is a website (or several) advertising au pairs?

ptumbi · 22/04/2015 15:12

Oh sorry Springtime - didn't see your post. APWorld?

Springtimemama · 22/04/2015 15:17

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Springtimemama · 22/04/2015 15:17

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Original poster

ScandiS · 22/04/2015 16:01

Thanks all.

OP posts:

Gusthetheatrecat · 22/04/2015 16:20

We had a summer au pair last year. She was looking to improve her English after finishing one course and starting another. We wanted to find out if an au pair would 'work' for us (and it did!). Worth asking around on Facebook etc to see if anyone has any student friends abroad who are looking for a summer in the UK?
And yes, you'd really have to specify that you were looking for an 'au pair plus' and pay accordingly.

ptumbi · 22/04/2015 17:28

Gus - actually that is exactly what I was looking for! An au pair who could come and talk (German in our case) to the dc, in exchange for bed and board and pocket money. i don't need babysitting (dc are 16 and 18!) but would be nice to get some 'mother-tongue' tuition. Is that too cheeky?

Gusthetheatrecat · 23/04/2015 13:10

Ptumbi - I don't think that sounds cheeky at all! Could be a brilliant set up for someone who wanted a summer in the UK. As long as you were up front about what you wanted then I don't see why this shouldn't work really well.
Provided your children are amenable to having someone talk German to them?! My 6 year old is very keen on learning French, but gets all fidgety and grumpy if AP actually speaks French to her. Sigh!

ptumbi · 23/04/2015 15:48

Both dc are doing german (GCSE and A level) and I'd like to improve too. I think a german AP would be great for them - they could talk english to him/her and s/he could talk german back. (Or vice versa if possible) Even if they don't actually understand most of it, just hearing the 'rhythm' of the language is a totally good thing.

I'd suggest your AP still talks to your dd in french but dd can speak english back? It really is the best way to learn.

Very naive question, but how much should I pay? S/he'll have own room, we are close to a train station (to London) and I suppose I could feed her too....

Springtimemama · 23/04/2015 16:02

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HRHQueenMe · 23/04/2015 16:56

I have just recruited from AP world, there were loads of really great aps woth experience looking for summer only jobs! Our village is very busy with summer aupairs during the holidays, great older girls (and boys)!

ptumbi · 23/04/2015 17:27

25Hours a week - doing what though? Childcare not needed, formal 'lessons' not appropriate - just really for someone in the house to talk german to. Maybe housework? But I don't work in the summer either, so I should be doing that...

Housework it is then!

whatsagoodusername · 23/04/2015 17:48

Summer au pair sounds awesome. I work from home and am busiest in the summer. We have no child are other than school. It never occurred to me that au pairs might just do summer!

Harbourgirl · 23/04/2015 18:00

I worked as a summer au pair each summer when I was at Uni and had a fantastic time.
When working out if it is worth it, do bear in mind the costs associated with having an AP. Not just wages but food, drink etc for the AP and you'll also have to have a kitty for the AP & your DC as they won't be able to do free things all day every day for six weeks.

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