au pair v nanny

[nancydrewrocks]

Been a while since I worked and so really not sure about the childcare options available to me. Would appreciate any input .

I am looking at returning to work at the end of the summer with a view to doing three or four days per week with one day from home. The days in the office will be long: away from the house 7:30 - 7:30.

I have two DC 4 & 5 both in full time school (awkwardly different schools DS can do 8-5:30 and DD can do 9-6) So what I am really looking for is someone to do the school run and supper 2/3 days per week.

I have looked at a couple of childminders and doesn't really work due to different schools in different area. - I am reluctant to have DC at individual CM's....

Obviously I don't need a FT nanny but getting a PT one I guess will be a nightmare...but would I be asking too much of an au pair (school run is realistically 1.5hrs round trip)

TIA

Should be fine for an au pair, but if it's a lot of driving maybe look for an older au pair who's been driving for a while.

How many hours a week would it be? And would you need full time in the school holidays?

We have a driving AP and she does the school run, taking kids to swimming, clubs etc.

Sounds like the perfect role for an AP.

Would be great for an AP, I think you'll have problems finding a nanny for those hours.

Have you thought about a university student (especially one studying teaaching/childcare etc)? Could work, especially if you're flexible about which days you work, and then you wouldn't need to have someone living in your home.

Thanks everyone.

I'm not too worried about having anyone in the house, I have lived overseas and had FT live in help before.

I suppose my biggest concern is that because I am on my own the au pair will be bored and not really part of a family. For those of you with AP's how much time do they spend doing family stuff with you?

Also in terms of rooms/accommodation what is reasonable - I fear they may be disappointed in my little town house!

thread title sounds like some pornographic fight club scenario

The amount of time each au pair has spent with our family has varied depending on many things..

1. Time of year (in spring and summer months there is far more going on that most have been interested in doing ie. sports).

1. If they have done extra baby-sitting for other families on their evenings off.

1. What their English class schedule is like - somehave done evening class while others have attended in the day time.

1. What other friends she has made and what they are like.

1. What sort of person they are - we have had one or two clingy types, but in the main they have all been very independent and have established their own social network quite easily.

I'd say in theweek then on average we spend 30 minutes per day at dinner time and before/afterwards in getting things ready and clearing away together. At weekends if I'm going shopping then I will always ask if she wants to come along, and she has other plans almost as many times as she comes. We have also started to go to an indoor ski centre a lot and our current AP loves to tag along.

If you are a single parent, it could work very well with an au pair. You may have more time to help her with things like her English than if you had a partner living there too.

Accommodation wise I'd say as long as she has her own bedroom and enough storage/drawer space to put her clothes then the room doesn't have to be huge. I think au pairs appreciate how they are treated by the family far more than the size of their bedroom.