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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Hi - new and need advice on what you think I am looking for!

9 replies

thisisjustme · 13/01/2009 21:58

Hi
I am widowed with a five-year-old and could do with some help to supplement some support I get from elderly parents!

In a nutshell I need someone to pick up my daughter from school three days a week at 2.50 and look after her until I return home at around 7pm. They will also need to ferry her to clubs for two of the three days but they are local. Also need babysitting once or twice a week with preferably an overnight thrown in every couple of weeks or so.

I am confused by the terms: 'mothers help', 'au pair' etc - what do I need to advertise exactly. Can anyone help?

Am in Essex/Greater London area.

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tankie · 13/01/2009 22:00

You need a part-time/afterschool nanny, unless you have a spare room and want to host an au pair.

Those hours/requirements look pretty reasonable for an au pair.

thisisjustme · 13/01/2009 22:03

Thank you for a super quick reply :-)

Best way forward is starting to look clearer!

OP posts:
tankie · 13/01/2009 22:06

An au pair could do around 25 hours and week childcare and light housework, plus one or two nights babysitting, in return for bed and board and approx £60-£70 a week pocket money - you'd have to provide a car though.

thisisjustme · 13/01/2009 22:10

The bed and board would actually be no problem as we have a nice spare room. Car also not an issue and they would need it for the school run.

Now that I am on the right track I might see if anyone has any ideas where to go to find a decent au pair - recommendations anyone?

OP posts:
tankie · 13/01/2009 22:20

There are au pair agencies, but I doubt they do much you can't do yourself. Try advertising on www.gumtree.com if you want an au pair already in the UK, or look on www.aupairworld.net.

Also, search mumsnet for threads about the pros and cons of au pairs!

lindseyfox · 15/01/2009 09:11

or you could look for a live-in mothers help and for around 40hrs you would need to pay about £150 a week plus food and board obv.

mothers help tend to be people with little childcare quals and little experience or newly qualified nannies looking for first positions.

DadInsteadofMum · 15/01/2009 11:15

Look at this thread

Weegle · 15/01/2009 11:26

I also would say AP if those hours fit within 25. In fact I would say that was a very good AP role. If you need the school/club runs to be done by car then I strongly recommend you getting a slightly older (in their twenties rather than teenage) as the car insurance will be high.

I highly recommend www.aupairworld.net - we have recruited 3 AP's this way. Although you do more legwork than an agency it only costs a v small amount (about £30) compared to hundreds with an agency. The benefit of this style of recruitment means you get a much better feel for the AP and can filter more easily than you will find through an agency. The downside, if it's a disaster, you don't have the agency back up with an instant replacement. However, you can often find AP's on there looking for immediate placements e.g. if their family has fallen through.

Other things you need to think about with an AP: part of the arrangement is likely to be that they go to college to learn English - will you pay as part of your package? Check local colleges to see if their course hours fit with the hours you want the AP available for you. Will you provide a mobile? Computer/Skype/Phone access?

For 25 hours per week pocket money would usually be £55-70 per week. We pay £60 provide a mobile (but no credit), free phone, skype, computer, pay her college fees, all food, her railcard (she pays fares) and any days out she does with us.

The other major thing you need to bear in mind with an AP is that they are to live as a member of your family. This can have real pros but also you need to think hard about how you feel about having someone sharing your living space, watching TV with you, eating meals with you. If you are clear what you expect in terms of this at the recruitment stage then you are more likely to find a good match. Because really a good AP arrangement is about matching expectations.

Compared to many on him I'm still an AP novice, so I hope others come along to advise too, but in the meantime hope that gives you some pointers...

Weegle · 15/01/2009 11:27

And don't forget the massive benefit of an AP is you can request them to do some light housework duties so if you get the right match it can really help your daily living.

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