Au Pair

[KittyRichards]

Hi - I am going to recommend that my sister gets an au pair to look after her kids (girl - 3, boy - 5) I have mentioned it to her before but she seemed a little nervous about letting someone into her home. Has anybody ever had really bad experiences with au pairs? And how much do you have to pay them if you are providing them with meals/a room/adding them to your car insurance? I have seen that people recommend around £100 a week (we are in SE England) but that seems quite a lot? Thoughts please!

How many hours per week is your sister looking for and what would the responsibilities be? Is the 3 year old at full time nursery?

I think £100 sounds about right - after bus/ tube fares, phone and gym/ other hobby then there's money left over for coffees and dinner/ drinks once a week, and probably not much left over.

I think £100 sounds about right - after bus/ tube fares, phone and gym/ other hobby then there's money left over for coffees and dinner/ drinks once a week, and probably not much left over.

£100 per week is normal for 5 hours per day. Any less than that and you are taking a bigger risk that the au pair won't stay. She'll find a family who pays the going rate

We pay £100 in North London. £90-120 is usual round here, up to £150 in very upmarket areas.

Thanks all for your comments.

It would be getting kids ready in the morning, school drop offs & pick ups and preparing dinner/taking the 5 yr old to various clubs in the week. Bit of light housework but not too much. Probably 7am - 7pm but obviously with a break in the middle and weekends off. 3 yr old is full time at nursery three days a week.

Does anyone know the going rate for live out au pairs? Does anybody have any agencies they would recommend/know any to avoid? Thanks.

A live out au pair is a nanny.

To be honest you don’t seem to be exuding the right attitude to an au pair. They need to be welcomed into the family, not seen as the cheapest childcare option available.

As Claudia said - au pairs have to live in, if you want someone live out you have to legally pay at least min wage.
Most childcarers would want significantly more for that sort of role and your sister would be their employer.