We've lost one prospective au pair because she said the English classes near us are too expensive, so she's gone for a family in a different city where they are cheaper, which I totally understand (we are in London).
Am considering whether we should perhaps offer to go halves for classes when speaking to other au pairs. Our first two APs have been older and spoken quite good English, so didn't really need classes, so I'm not sure what's normal, which is why I am asking.
This time we want to try someone younger who might stay longer, as really I think the older ones tend to be looking for a foothold to get a job here, which is fine but does mean they're not likely to give you more than 6 months.
The next girl we are talking to seems very nice but I can tell is likely to have relatively few financial means and might need help with costs.
To give you a picture, where we are, 6 months of 6 hours of lessons a week at our two nearest schools are £650-720, 9 hours a week £910- £1020... and it looks like they need to be paid upfront, but I can ask what the options are. Obviously paying upfront would not be ideal, as you're then out of pocket if the placement doesn't work out.
One of them also does a Saturday morning class at £300 a term for 3 hours a week, which seems pretty reasonable but is obviously less time and may not suit everyone, especially if they'd like to get a weekend job.
I guess we'll have to mention upfront we will contribute to class costs so they know that's an option.