What to pay for an 'english au pair'?

[Millarkie]

I advertised my 'au pair' job on gumtree (basically 3.30-6pm looking after 7 and 5yr old in my home, with me around 2 days a week, sole charge for the other 3 days - no school run just supervising kids play and making them sandwiches/drinks).
I have been emailed by a student with no childcare experience except looking after younger siblings who firstly wanted to live-in so I gave her the details of the au pair job/conditions/dosh but has now emailed and asked how much I would pay for a live-out helper.

So, bearing in mind I will interview her and assess her competency of looking after the children for 2.5 hours at a time, first aid knowledge etc...If she is suitable, how much would you offer to pay for this type of post?

£7 per hour, that's what I pay my live out help and she's a lot more experienced than the person you are describing. I got her from gumtree!

Could start at national minimum wage, then once past probationary period, you could up salary a bit, to make working 2.5 hours more worthwhile.

Thanks - I was thinking about £7 per hour (because it's only 12.5 hours a week) would work it out as gross though because I don't want to get hit with a huge tax bill - have been discussing it with dh though, and he is of the opinion that he would rather have a traditional language student style au pair than a student childcarer..partly because an au pair would give us cover in the mornings if he has to travel for work, and partly because an au pair would babysit as part of the contract whereas that would be extra for a live-out person...alright for him..he's not the one trying to recruit one!

sorry to hijack but I'm after similar: what would be a reasonable probationary period? any other advice for such an appointment?

I'd say one month to see if it's working out and then maybe put it up to NMW for 21+ year olds if she's currently 18-21.

I would agree with your DH. A live-in au pair would give you more flexibility and cost you less. I think £7/hr gross is actually a bit steep for someone with no childcare experience, and presumably no childcare degree.

I would offer minimum wage if you decide to go for live-out.

Thanks AtheneNoctura - you're right. We've agreed that we need to try a live-in since there are a multitude of benefits compared to live-out. Have offered the job to a german au pair so am now crossing fingers that she accepts it.

Good luck!

FYI NMW changes at 22 years of age not 21

If she is under 22 she would get £4.60 per hour, going up to £5.52 at 22 yrs