Would an au-pair want to live in a fairly small flat?

[HedgieRobin]

Hi,
We're looking at the possibility of an au-pair for my 4 year old DD. It would essentially be wrap around care 8-9am and 3-6pm mon-fri so only 20 hours a week, plus a babysit (4 hours) once a fortnight. We don't need cleaning as we already have a cleaner.

However, we live in a fairly small flat. It's 2 doubles, 1 single, DD is already in the single and I was thinking DP and I could move into the other double, giving the au pair the en-suite so she's not sharing her bathroom with DD. There's a living/dining/kitchen and that's it.

Would an au pair be happy with this do you think? I know lots of people with au-pairs but they live in nice big houses :( we can't afford that.

We live in the Home Counties, 30 mins from London but nice town with shops etc. I'd be able to pay £100 p/w which is slightly above average here. And happy to provide gym membership if wanted, and language classes at the local centre as incentives.

What's my chances?

I don't see anything wrong with that, seems great to me. Size of the flat doesn't really matter.

Sounds great- think of it this way; they will be earning £100 week + equivalent local rent without bills wtc so what's that worth locally? I expect a room with ensuite will be at least £80-100 week, without gym etc so effectively she will be 'paid' around £200 week for 20 hours- doesn't sound too bad and if she wanted could also pick up a second evening job in bar etc if wanted more?

Actually I'd let the au-pair share the family bathroom with DD and keep the en-suite for you and DH.

Thanks, I'm glad it seems like a feasible option. I didn't think of it in terms of the cost of a room. I guess yes, they do rent for about £500 per month here so not a bad deal.

I think it sounds perfectly fine!

Please don't compare with the cost of renting though: when you rent, you have total independence and freedom, you can come and go as you please, you can receive whoever you like, have parties... It is not the same at all.

I am all about au-pair jobs (been one, employed quite a few), but starting to think you are doing the AP a favour is not a great idea. It is a fair deal: board and food versus babysitting/ light cleaning, but it's a job.

That sounds perfect! I think the people living in the big houses often chuck the AuPair in a broom cupboard... Close to London, decent hours, sound ideal for a young lass

Thank you.

Caroline I meant I was comparing the cost to renting a room in my area. Which is £500+ pcm, so very expensive, and they would have the same rights and freedom etc as somebody who rents a room. But I certainly don't see it like I'm doing them a favour, they are doing me one if anything! Just trying to figure out if it's a possible option at this point.

I live in a flat with no ensuite and have had a few au pairs. If you tell them up front then there shouldn't be any issue and you're paying well.

Keep your bedroom and ensuite, the au pair really shouldn't be too bothered about using the family bathroom (just as long as there is a proper lock on the door, I lived in once with no lock and a bathroom door that didn't even shut properly, I hated it).

We have a big house and DH and I have a large en suite. The AP and boys share the family bathroom. Never been an issue.

In our old house, just one bathroom, we managed but it was a bit if a pain.

Keep your room OP!

Au pairs would far rather live in a small flat with a warm, loving family than, than in a big house they're unhappy in.

My aupair stays in a single bedroom (not a box room) and it is fine. I pay £90 and bus travel, no other perks. If you include gym and classes, and only 20 hours childcare, I think you would be massively overpaying.
The room size does not matter as long as it can fit the basics (bed, desk, wardrobe, chest of drawers). Ensuite would be a bonus.

Size doesn't matter

But I wouldn't give up my en suite