As any working parent knows, arranging childcare outside of regular school hours can be a nightmare, especially for those with full-time jobs. Additionally, the expenses associated with these services can be prohibitive for many families, particularly if they have multiple children. There are however, some alternatives to before and after school care that can address these challenges.

One highly cost-effective option is to host an au pair. An au pair is typically a young individual from a foreign country who resides with your family for a few months (usually for 6 months) to experience a different culture, country, and learn the English language. In exchange for room and board, an au pair can provide approximately 30-35 hours of childcare assistance and assist with light household chores. Their responsibilities may include dropping off and picking up the children from school, thereby eliminating the need for expensive out-of-school hours care.

While before and after school care can be a viable solution during term time, what about the school holidays? Not all schools offer vacation care, necessitating alternative arrangements. Such transitions can sometimes cause stress for children, but hiring an au pair can help ensure continuity of care throughout both the school term and holiday periods. During the holiday periods many working parents heavily rely on vacation care services.

Welcoming an au pair within your home can potentially reduce or even eliminate the need of such services. Our au pairs work up to 35 hours per week and are mostly very flexible if you make agreements beforehand. Our team is glad to offer you assistance finding you an au pair. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us.