Au pair employers: how much do you pay and for how many hours?

[SummerMonths]

Our new au pair starts next week and I just want to check that the package we offer is about right for the market. To be fair I have already explained the package to her and she is happy but once she is here and knows other APs I expect she will compare and I want to make sure we are being fair.

The job is London based. She will work 24 hours a week plus one babysitting each week so I think that's all pretty standard, she actually has her work concentrated into three days a week so she has four days to herself to travel/socialise etc.

Package:
Ensuite bedroom of her own with double bed, TV, wifi etc all in central London
All bills paid (obviously)
All food paid if she is eating at home (she will eat with the kids when on duty and with us in the evenings)
Oyster card with £20 a week topped-up (that will cover all job related travel with the kids)
£95 a week

I think it's fine, but the actual pay is a little low for central London seeing as she will likely have to add oyster money if used up most over 3 days travel with work . If she's happy with it though maybe you could keep 3 month like this, and them review after 3 months if all is well and increase weekly pay to say £110/120.

Remember she can afford to live on £95 as main bills and roof covered, but a happy au pair will be spending money at weekends travelling to see sights and places and learn the language and culture. So you don't want them just moping around home all weekend as can't afford to join friends etc.

I think it's a bit low but ok. ArtandCos suggestion is good. How much of her Oyster card will be used for kid related trips.

Will she be doing language classes?

Thanks both. Are you both AP employers? Can I ask what you actually pay?

She is fluent in English so will not do language classes.

No we have a nanny. Working 20-25 hrs a week. We pay £15 per hr.

I am surprise by the previous posts. I pay my aupair £90 plus bus travelcard (bus travel to school). London zone 5. I paid £5 giffgaff phone contract to my previous aupair, but my current one already has giffgaff and free calls to my phone so I dont cover phone.

My previous aupair stayed for a year, took double English classes (4 times a week instead of just 2), went to London for sightseeing every single weekend, went back to Spain twice for Easter and Christmas and still managed to save half of all his income.

I did not pay for the English classes or gym or anything else.

I would say especially in London the pay should be less than anywhere else because many simply prefer London.

Forgot to add, that was 25 hours and 2 babysitting evenings.

South London. We pay £85pw for similar set up. We also pay half language lessons...about £400+ over a year. And we pay holidays (more than legally obliged) and gave last AP 2x lifts home. No complaints.

Oh and we provide a bike foe all local transport, but only pay travel for things we have asked AP to do.

We live in outskirts of London.

Pay £90 for 30 ish hours (sometimes less).
Big room on separate floor with en suite.
All food, bills etc.
Bus and tram travelcard paid
First term of language lessons paid.
Phone on contract (has enough paid calls and texts for all UK use)

We have had three au pairs already and it has gone well.

She can use bike or scooter if she wants to.

Also can use car within reason, I.e. not weekends away!

Thanks, its interesting that those that do actually have APs don't think its too small an amount.

I should have said I pay 4 weeks holiday as well.

£90 pw
Iphone on contract
Merlin pass
No travel as not needed for duty.
All food and bills.
Own room on suite.
Very varied hours as shiftworkers, roughly 3 days work per week.

No language classes as all aupairs already fluent.