Au pair, never had one before advice please.................

[massivepants]

I am thinking of having an au pair for July - September. We live in the middle of no where so she will either need a car (expense)or to be put on my car insurance. Has any one got nay idea how much (to the nearest £1000!) it would cost to get a 21 year old Frech girl added to my car insurance for 3 months. Please. Also I have struck up an e mail correspondance with a great girl. Do you think it's ok to go with her, or should I interview a few? ANY advice/ gems of wisdom much appreciated. Thanks

My 20 yr old au pairs have cost an additional £35-45 per month to put onto my car insurance (and I have a 1.9l turbo diesel car). And make sure you are clear about who pays for petrol, parking/speeding fines etc (says the voice of experience )
If your email exchange is looking good, have you asked for checkable references? If possible check her references by phone or email before offering her the job. I try to look at 2 or 3 applicants at a time because so often you offer them the position and they turn you down (normally because they have been offered a post in London) and then you have to start all over again.

£40/month last summer for a 23 yr old french girl (1.1 Fiesta).

Recruiting an au pair is a three way combination of common sense, gut feel and luck. Other than that everything Millarkie said.

thanks, all very helpful. I am ringing one tonight, and I have a couple more in the pipeline. Thanks

mum tried to add my 19 almost 20yr old brother onto hers from 4mths from june til oct when he is home from uni and would have cost another £600 for that time!!