Sanity check this is ok for an au pair

[littlebearsmummy]

Hello

We have 3 dd's, aged 8, 5 and a 6 mth old. I go back twirl in January. My dh will be dropping the baby off at a local nursery each day on his way to work. But we need someone to get the older two up, dressed and off to school. Then pick them up after school and bring them home or take to an after school activity. They will have to be able to drive as the school is five minutes away. So the hours will be something like 4.5 x 4 days a week, and 1.5 on the 5th day. Actually, we'll need the ap to walk the dog each day (will this be an issue?) so will need to include this in the hours. Will still be well under 30hrs per week.

Not sure how relevant it is, but we live in the country, very little to do around us without a 15/20 minute drive. We were thinking of offering a local gym membership, the use of a car and maybe language classes.

School holidays will be managed through holiday clubs, our holiday and family.

We were thinking of a weekly rate of £80 to £90.

Any thoughts?

Sounds like a great job for an AP! Where do I sign up?

Don't forget to specify in your ad that you have a dog - that would put some off, but otherwise, I don't see any probs.

I don't see why shed need to drive kids to a school 5 mins away though

5 mins drive in the country tends to be about 5 miles away!

I would ask the local language school what nationalities they have the most of, so she is more likely to find friends....

Yes sorry, it's a 5 min drive
so a couple of villages away. I wish they could walk would make life easier! It's our first venture into having an au pair, so just finding our feet with it all. Thanks for the vote of confidence that it sounds like a good job :)

Definitely a good idea to check on the local language classes. Will do that now.

And obvs 'twirl' was 'to work!!'

Thanks again.

I'd offer the extras otherwise it might get too boring for your au pair. Will she have any other opportunities to make money. £80- £90 isn't that much even though it's normal for an AP. Being able to earn extra babysitting, working at night in a bar or in a shop at the weekends might make a huge difference to her AP experience.

I think it sounds great. I don't think you'd struggle to find someone, especially someone who likes being outdoors if you live in the country.

Whatwas - OP would have to register as an employer if the au pair got a second job, although, mine do do extra babysitting on occasion.

It did cross my mind that he/she could work part time in the village pub if they wanted to. It's lovely, busy often needs staff and 3 doors away :).
Also thought they might like to babysit for friends, as it's often a scrabble to
find a reliable babysitter. Thanks folks.

Having an au pair is a great experience. We had several, and are still in touch with a few of them now our girls are almost 20. Do offer to include the AP in everything you do as a family, but don't be offended if she'd prefer to be with friends or chill in her room.