can you employ an au-pair and pay less?

[skuzy]

I'm thinking of employing an AP but only need her to work about 15 hours per week. I would therefore like to pay less money, say £35 pound per week. Does anyone know if it's ok to pay less that the standard £55 per week?
Also, do you pay extra for the two nights babysitting? Or is that included in the main deal.
Thanks!

I reckon you don't want to market it as an au-pair job but as a "room-to-let in return for househelp" thing. I live close to a University City and you see this quite often where students have a room and pitch out instead of paying rent. Works pretty well if you are happy for them to leave in summer holidays..of course, you need to have student population nearby. If you do, it might be just as easy to stick a note up in the common rooms - it is perfect time of year to find someone..

I was thinking you could rent out the room, and then get your child pickup and cleaning separately. There are lots of childminders who do an after school pickup and care service. When I used one for a few weeks last year, it was £4.50 per hour per child.

A student lodger aupair could work really well if their college hours were compatible with the school pickup time, and would give you a built-in babysitter - yet not someone who is going to hang around the house every minute of every day. It could work really well for you, if you could find the right person.

I'm in the same position as skuzy so I've read this thread with interest.

Your posts Squiffyand ScaryScienceT are spot on for me. Thanks for your help.

If that doesn't work, I'm going to advertise for an au pair share.