AU PAIR

An Au Pair Plus is normally a single person, male or female, aged 17 years or more. You are here primarily to learn the language as well as being an extra pair of hands.

An au pair's duties might include washing, ironing, light house-work (vacuuming, dusting, washing dishes), meal preparation, taking children to and from play-group/school, and otherwise helping with the children (feeding, bathing, creative activities, homework). As an au pair you can work for up to 25 hours per week, usually 5 hours per day, with usually two days per week completely free, including Sunday.

You will receive £65 per week or more depending on the location, and you will get free lodgings and meals.

AU PAIR PLUS

Sometimes the normal 5 hours a day or 25 hours may not be enough for a busy family with two working parents. An Au Pair Plus will still not take care of a baby under the age of two for regular long hours.

An Au Pair Plus is normally a single person, male or female, aged 18 years or more. You might help with children and light household chores for around 30 hours per week. While an Au Pair Plus can work more than a normal au pair, the hours should be kept to 30 hours per week during term time where possible, to enable you to attend language classes if you wish.

Normal Au Pair Plus duties include childcare, preparing light meals for the children, tidying, washing and ironing, light housework such as dusting, sweeping/mopping and vacuuming, cleaning the kitchen or bathroom. Jobs which are not considered routine light housework include wiping down skirting boards and paintwork, polishing brass or silver etc. Your family will give you a timetable and the total number of hours they expect you to work. Traditionally the Au Pair's work is at least 50% child related, so any variation on this needs to be discussed and agreed with you in advance. If you will be the only person doing most of the weekly housework, or if the job involves little or no childcare, you should tell us. Au Pairs should not be asked to mow the lawn, do gardening, clean cars either inside or out or to clean outside windows, except by prior agreement. Some male Au Pairs may be willing to undertake such tasks instead of doing indoor housework. We recommend that an Au Pair Plus should not be asked to clean any place of business or any home other than the host family's.

The payment you will receive is from £75 per week depending on the location, and you will get free lodgings and meals.

MOTHER’S HELPER

A mothers helper is not normally a formally qualified nanny but is an experienced childcarer aged 19 or more with references to show that they can care for children in one or more age groups. There are sometimes trained teachers who wish to come to the UK as Mothers Helpers.

Normal working hours would be a maximum of 40 hours a week with weekends free. A mother’s helper may also care for a baby or young child if they have experience or qualifications. In this case 35 hours is the maximum expected. The timetable and responsibilities for a mother’s helper will be agreed with the agency beforehand.

The payment you will receive is from £90 per week depending on the location, and you will get free lodgings and meals.

The Choice is yours