au pair/ would you employ

[Devlesko]

Ok, would you employ this person over the summer, would be prepared to live in.

Experience - babysitting for niece, (from birth) first aid certificate, safeguarding course, recent offer of employment from a nursery, Silver DofE, Scout leader, ref from school as the junior prefect.
Has lot's of stimulating games and activities to offer, has a natural rapport with younger children.
Age 16. No Ofsted, not regulated.
Would suit parents working from home.
Can cook, clean, look after themselves.

I don't know what age, I suppose any age, she's a right Mary Poppins.
Obviously with age it would have to be the right family situation. I think it would have to be parents wfh.
They can cook, and very good at preparing lunches for juniors.

Noway

Way too young, I’d say

You don’t know what age kids you have?

Or are you not considering employing her? If you’re also not her... what’s your stake in this?

For only a few hours a week some charge, mostly as an extra hand when the parent is, and if children are older - then I’d definitely consider. A 16-year-old who actively wants to work with children (nursery offer) and appears mature and motivated (babysitting, safeguarding course etc) is probably a better bet than many au pairs in their later teens who really just see it as a opportunity for a cheap language and culture exchange rather than because they want to look after children.

If they've been very involved in scouts, I would assume they had huge experience of coping with very challenging situations alongside managing and motivating younger kids. (My kids are scouts and am in awe of the responsibilities they are given). I probably would.

I wouldn't. A friend employed a 16 year old Au Pair for 6 weeks a few years ago and it was an absolute disaster. The girl was nice enough but just too immature and didn't really understand what was expected of her. Most families that hire an Au Pair need to leave the kids alone with the Au Pair for a little while if not longer periods of time and I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving my kids alone with an unknown 16 year old.

If I just wanted some help, but I was going to be around all the time, i would.
A 16yo is able to take the kids v to the park while I make the tea for instance, or help them with some school homework, or do a bit of hovering etc.
I wouldn't leave a 16yo in sole charge of a young baby all day if I was out at work.

Too young unless parents always around.

I would find it exhausting, watching someone watch my child. This isn't an apprenticeship with a fake baby. I need to trust whoever is looking after my child. I don't think a 16 year old is suitable for such responsibility just yet.

Is this your daughter and you want her employed? I personally wouldn't use a live in 16yo

I resent paying someone to go on a jolly in the park, dealing with traffic crossing, jumpy dogs, accidents and everything else that happens when out... while im stuck in a hot kitchen cooking. I love cooking but even that sounds like a punishment.
If a 16 year old wants to help, they can do cleaning and light maintenance jobs.

I wouldn't employ a 16 year old au pair, no. It would be like having another child.

Absolutely not. 16!!!!!!!?!? Don’t be daft

No 16 is far too young.

Another thing, as 16 i would be responsible for a minor, at least morally and i really would not want to parent or at the very least look out for a teen. It just doesn't work and can easily become a nightmare. So much can go wrong.

They're not going to be able to fly here this summer

Nope.

I definitely wouldn't have a 16 year old 'live in', that's an extra child for me to look after, rather than any help.

Depends.

I'm a farmer and obviously wfh so am always around. If I knew the girl and knew she was great with kids then yes I would. I wouldn't do it with a girl I didn't know.

How old are your children?

Nope. I'd get a 16 year old like that to babysit for a night out, but not as an au pair. I don't want a half-employee half-foster child to look after.

I wouldn't pay someone to play with my kids if they required me to be at home, either.

I guess the 16 year old is OP's family member.
I wouldn't employ a 16 year old as an au-pair, only as occasional babysitter.

Aw, I'd forgotten about this, sorry.

Yes, it's my dd, she so wants to work with children during the holidays for the next few years during college holidays.
The job offer was for musical activities with very young children.
I'd say would be fine with a baby as lots of experience with neice and juniors.
They all adore her at school she's like their big sister and they respect her a lot I'm told.