Would this work?

[Mummyontherun86]

Hi, looking for advice from experienced au pairs/families.

I’m a stay at home parent to two small children ages 1.5 and 2.5. We don’t have any family help due to distance and my husband works 4/5 evenings a week.

I’m looking at getting an aupair from the summer when my youngest turns 2. I am going to be starting a masters. We have a spare room (not huge or ensuite). We live about 40 minutes from London by train and 20 mins walk to the station. It’s a multicultural area, not affluent but easy bus to cinema, college etc.

My plan would be for them to take the children out two mornings a week on foot (I have a double buggy) to local toddler groups, babysit for 2/3 evenings and help out with day to day chores such as children’s washing, toy tidying and putting dishwasher on. We have a cleaner once a week so they would be asked to clean bathrooms etc. They would have 2.5 days a week off completely (Fri/Sat/Sun) if they wanted to travel.

Does this sound reasonable? I really have no idea, so be kind if I’m expecting too much!

^ husband also works 5 days in addition to evenings (in case that wasn’t clear!)

Sounds reasonable. Make sure you are clear as to how far you are from London.

I'm fairly certain your DS's would be too young to be looked after by an au pair. You would be better off with a nanny.

I thought the minimum age was 2 (hence waiting until then). I wouldn’t expect more than 2 hours sole care except after bedtime while they are asleep. Is this okay? Mostly I will be either at home or husband will be, so can ensure they are eased in gradually.

Mummy / it's potentially fine. But you'd need a sensible au pair who also speaks good English. That you cannot compromise on.

Thanks, I think you’re right about the English levels which presumably means we’d need to offer more.

That's absolutely fine, on au pair world the girls specify which age range they'd like to work with and some of them already have experience working with children. Have a look around au pair world.
25 hours/week is standard for an au pair. Pay-wise see what is usual for your area and pay slightly higher.

If they're having sole care babysitting in the evening, they need to have enough English to make an emergency call, but they're not helping with homework, so you don't need someone whose fluent.