WHAT IS AN AU PAIR?An Au Pair is a single person aged 18 and over without any dependants. They come here to learn English as part of an English speaking family. They are not domestic staff or employees but are on a cultural exchange – they live as part of your family, join you for meals and have their own bedroom and receive a suggested minimum of £100 pocket money per week. There may be times when the Au Pair doesn’t join you for meals but you need to make sure that there is food available for them to help themselves for all mealtimes during their stay with you. They help with childcare and light housework for up to 30 hours to include any evening babysitting and must have 2 FULL free days each week.
A2Z Au Pairs require a higher level of weekly pocket money of £100 and if you require a driver you need to offer a minimum of £120 per week which includes £20 extra a week as a study allowance. Please also note that the Au Pair IS NOT THE FAMILY CLEANER and should feel like a member of your family - they should therefore share this duty with the family and only 20% of their duties should be cleaning related and this cleaning should relate to the day to day care of the children.
It should be remembered that the Au Pair role is special because it is a cultural program. Their experience with children can be limited and they are not trained nannies or childminders. AU PAIRS SHOULD NOT HAVE SOLE CHARGE OF CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 2.
Your Au Pair should have 2 free days per week and should be free to attend language classes and Religious services if desired. They should be provided with their own bedroom and full board and lodging as part of your family. PLEASE DO NOT EXPECT YOUR AU PAIR TO WORK FULL TIME DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS. You need to organise other activities for the children to attend so that the Au Pair still has some free time during the day.
Au Pairs are entitled to normal paid holiday - 28 days per year on a pro rata basis to include bank holidays or time off in lieu
If you require extra cleaning or babysitting on a free day you will need to discuss this with us when you register and you need to be prepared to offer additional pocket money to the person who is willing to do this. Occasional extra hours requested of your Au Pair should be paid at £5+ per hour.
OVER 30 HOURS PER WEEK
If you require over 30 hours a week as the norm or require more than 20% of housework then the role is a Mini Mothers Help who can help for up to 40 hours a week and the minimum they expect to be paid is £175 per week. Over 40 hours is a normal Mother's help role and these applicants expect at least £200 per week and many expect more.
Mother’s Help and Mini Mother's Help – These applicants help for longer hours and often have more experience. Many expect to be properly employed and pay tax and NI but minimum wage per hour does not apply. They help for over 30 hours a week. They still live in your home and have their own bedroom and full board and lodging. They are expected to be at home looking after children normally whilst the mother is at work, or helping the mother in a busy household. They have a combined housekeeping role and can be asked to keep the house clean and tidy, do some cooking and shopping, do laundry and ironing, etc. They generally do 50% housework and work between 8-10 hours per day. Most Mother’s helps are aged 20+ and must have previous childcare experience. Depending on their experience, they may be able to have sole charge of toddlers and school-aged children. As they are generally not formally qualified in childcare, this is at the discretion of the parents. The wage of a Mother’s help varies a great deal on age, experience, ability to drive, etc. but the recommended starting figure of £175.00 per week before tax or NI for a Mini Mother's help who does 40 hours. Over 40 hours is classed as the normal Mother's help and they expect to be paid at least £200 and many expect more..