So, you’ve decided you need childcare. What do you do? Hiring an au pair proves to be a popular and efficient option among parents in the UK. However, since Brexit, families are struggling to find au pairs.
It’s difficult for au pairs to get UK visas now. However, Little Ones makes the process of finding a candidate easy by providing families with au pairs who already have the right to work here. Below, we will explain what is an au pair and why you should hire one to look after your children.
Who is an au pair?
Au pairs are usually people under 30 who move to different countries to learn the language and gain more knowledge. A popular move is the United Kingdom, where au pairs can come to study English and learn about British culture.
Au pairs have all sorts of backgrounds and can bring different levels of childcare experience. However, bear in mind that typically au pairs have zero childcare experience. It’s the main reason au pair salaries are some of the lowest in the childcare industry.
Families who want to hire au pairs have children of school age. Au pairs can become part of the family and offer needed support to the parents. However, they will not have sole charge of the children since they are not allowed to work more than 30 hours per week. It is not recommended to hire au pairs for babies, as they require special care.
If you are considering hiring an au pair, you need to be prepared to welcome them into your home. An au pair will need to have a private bedroom in your home. When they are not working, they will usually spend their time studying or exploring their new adoptive country.
It’s important not to forget to respect their privacy and their time. Usually, au pairs will agree to do extra hours of babysitting or even accompany your family on holiday. Remember to discuss these terms during the hiring process. All of this information should be clear from the get-go.
What tasks should au pairs do?
The main task of an au pair is to look after children. They should not be expected to do housekeeping chores unless related to the children. They can tidy up the bedrooms and play areas or do the children’s laundry and ironing. They can also help your children get ready for school, pick them up and prepare them for bedtime.
Au pairs are great because they can teach your children a second or third language. While they are improving their English language skills, they will help your children learn languages such as Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Japanese, Portuguese, Italian, and more.
Moreover, if your first language is not English, you can hire an au pair who speaks your mother tongue. This way, your children can study the language, learn about the culture, and connect to your home country.
Why should you hire an au pair?
Hiring an au pair will come with many benefits for you and your children. Not only will your children receive the care and attention they need, but your au pair will become part of your family and a meaningful figure in your children’s life.
Au pairs can be flexible with their schedule when needed. As mentioned above, they can provide extra paid hours of babysitting, apart from the maximum 30 contracted hours as au pairs. They will never be late for work since they will live in your home.
Au pairs can be the best choice for parents who juggle their parental duties, home chores and work. They’re the ideal option if you don’t have a huge budget. If you choose to go with an au pair, you need to provide food, accommodation and a weekly wage of £200 to £300 per week.
Bringing an au pair into your children’s lives will help them flourish and expand their horizons, but it will also support you to have a more balanced life.
**This is a collaborative post. The image has been provided to us.
