05-12-20232024 National Minimum Wage Pay Guidelines
The national minimum wage guidelines are changing in April 2024. Source: National…
Au Pair vs Other forms of Childcare
Is au pair the right option for your family? This comparison may help in your decision.
A number of different options are available when considering the care of your children.
The options and costs can vary depending on the number and ages of the children and your location.
We have outlined an overview of the common childcare options and how these differ from the au pair program.
If you need further guidance, please give us a call and we are very happy to help assess whether an au pair would be a good option for your family!
- Au Pairs
- Mother's Help/Junior Live-in Nanny
- Babysitters
- Nanny & Registered Childminder
- Part Time Day Nursery
Au pairs provide live in care and the cost of care does not increase with the number of children. Au pairs can help with up to 30h/week.
Au pairs are therefore often considered as one of the most affordable and flexible forms of childcare.
As au pairs are generally not qualified in childcare, the level of responsibility they can accept for young, pre-school aged children is also more limited.
If you therefore require more than 30h/week of help and/or help with children who are not yet in nursery/school more experienced/professional childcare may be a better option.
Important
Au Pairs should not have sole care for children under the age of two (care without parental presence)
Sole care for children aged 2-4 is limited
A mother’s help is usually unqualified or newly qualified candidate with limited ‘hands on’ childcare experience compared to nannies, but with substantially more experience than traditional au pairs.
A Mothers help or Junior Nanny position is a generally the ‘first step’ before becoming a nanny.
Traditionally you can expect to pay a babysitter from £7-10/hour (often more in London).
If you therefore require help for 5h in an evening at a rate of £8/hour – the cost would be £40/night. Babysitters can be ideal for a night out but rarely provide regular care.
A number of different options are available when considering the care of your children. The options and costs can vary depending on the number and ages of the children and your location.
The care of a professional nanny or a childminder comes at a price.
A typical Live-in nanny salary in London is anywhere between £300 – £500 net per week.
The pay depends on the specific family requirements, experience level of the nanny, working hours and location. A full-time live-in nanny salary can be around £500 net per week.
Nanny/qualified childcare help is advised whereby sole care is required for a child who is under the age of two.
For more information on nanny costs – please see the following report by Nannytax.
Day nurseries offer care for children from the age of 6 weeks to 5 years.
The UK, the average cost of sending a child under two to nursery is:
- £131 per week - part time (25 hours)
- £252 per week - full time (50 hours).
Especially if you have more than 1 child and/or require more hours, this can be very costly.