Going rate for 45 hours, 3 kids under 5?

[Anonymous]

What is the typical rate people are paying for an AP per week for 45 hours a week, 3 kids under 5?

Don't want to start a debate on whether the $195 is the set amount v min amount, etc. Just looking for data points.


Thanks

[Anonymous]

At least 300, if the AP is any good and you want to keep her.

[Anonymous]

We stuck with $200 / week for our stipend for 45 hrs and four kids, BUT she only had all four kids for 10 hours a week. For 20 hours of her week, she only had two kids. For the remaining 20 hours, she and I divided and conquered so she only had one or two at a time. Also we didn’t expect her to do anything beyond watching kids. No meal prep, no laundry, no homework help, no pick up.

If you want her doing 45 hrs/week and solely watching all three, I’d do no less than 250 - and that would be a minimum. I’d say more like 300 or 350, especially if you expect her to accomplish anything beyond watching kids.

And I’d temper your expectations. I was willing to pay well above 200 for ours to watch all four for 45 hours per week but we quickly realized that would have been too much for her.

[Anonymous]

I would do the set amount personally but give her little bonuses here and there. If you can swing it give her a day off here and there, or even half a day.

[Anonymous]

Be prepared for her to agree, come and (in good faith or not) rematch quickly for an easier gig. That sounds overwhelming to me, and I am an adult/mom. I think PP is right about spot bonuses but also try to do other things to support and show her your appreciation. For example, two tickets to a concert of her favorite band, an airline ticket for her to a place on her bucket list etc. If you can afford it, I think this will help keep her happy especially when she starts comparing her situation to those with one kid and a split schedule...

[Anonymous]

$200/week. We've never paid over stipend. They pay enough taxes on their stipend to begin with. Why add to that?
Bonuses and token gifts go a long way throughout the year.

We have 4 kids and have hosted great aupairs.

[Anonymous]

$197.

However, AP works a split shift with daycare/school and my kids went to school full time starting at 3yo. Younger than 3yo, kids went half-day or a few days a week with homeschool enrichment classes in the afternoon (art, dance, gymnastics, etc.)

There's no way I would leave any AP with my kids for 45 hours/week with nothing to do. It's not even a matter of paying more, you're doing a disservice to your kids to stick them with a teenage babysitter who will likely not be able to handle 3 kids AND burn out quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$197.

However, AP works a split shift with daycare/school and my kids went to school full time starting at 3yo. Younger than 3yo, kids went half-day or a few days a week with homeschool enrichment classes in the afternoon (art, dance, gymnastics, etc.)

There's no way I would leave any AP with my kids for 45 hours/week with nothing to do. It's not even a matter of paying more, you're doing a disservice to your kids to stick them with a teenage babysitter who will likely not be able to handle 3 kids AND burn out quickly.

Couldn't agree more.

We have 3 under 5. One is in preschool. When he's not in school, I keep the youngest and she has the older two. For safety purposes, I won't let any au pair keep 3 under 5 until the youngest is at least 18 months and I would still limit those occasions. I don't want her stressed out waiting for her day to be over. Worse, I don't want her overwhelmed and something happen to one of my children. And for my kids' sake, I want my kids having fun, learning and bonding with each other and the au pair.

I understand some have to. If I had a situation where an au pair really needed to take care of 3+ kids under 5 consistently, I would only get an teacher who is used to managing a classroom or a nanny who is currently taking care of 3 young children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$197.

However, AP works a split shift with daycare/school and my kids went to school full time starting at 3yo. Younger than 3yo, kids went half-day or a few days a week with homeschool enrichment classes in the afternoon (art, dance, gymnastics, etc.)

There's no way I would leave any AP with my kids for 45 hours/week with nothing to do. It's not even a matter of paying more, you're doing a disservice to your kids to stick them with a teenage babysitter who will likely not be able to handle 3 kids AND burn out quickly.

Couldn't agree more.

We have 3 under 5. One is in preschool. When he's not in school, I keep the youngest and she has the older two. For safety purposes, I won't let any au pair keep 3 under 5 until the youngest is at least 18 months and I would still limit those occasions. I don't want her stressed out waiting for her day to be over. Worse, I don't want her overwhelmed and something happen to one of my children. And for my kids' sake, I want my kids having fun, learning and bonding with each other and the au pair.

I understand some have to. If I had a situation where an au pair really needed to take care of 3+ kids under 5 consistently, I would only get an teacher who is used to managing a classroom or a nanny who is currently taking care of 3 young children.

Forgot to add. For the 3 kids we do $195.75 but give birthday, Christmas and random "thank you" gifts.

[Anonymous]

PP you are the worst. I mean the worst. You give her down to the cents.

So nice of you to give her bday and Xmas gifts.

My AP had friends with HMs like you and they can’t wait to leave.

I am at such a loss for words for someone who could do this. Knowing the stipend hasn’t changed in decades and knowing many states are moving toward requiring min wage.

Let me guess. Your APs are from Thailand?

[Anonymous]

Plus 100

And that poster seems so proud of herself.

[Anonymous]

We do $225 with bonuses. 2 5 year-olds, split schedule, 20-25 hours a week.

[Anonymous]

Rounding up 195.75 to 200 per week is “overpaying” by $221. I think that is such a small amount for us host families to eat in order to not be labeled as petty. I def encourage others to round up to $200, as a token of goodwill.

[Anonymous]

My friend was an au pair in DC in 2001 and the stipend was $10 more than it is today. Bonkers.

OP- Id say $325wk

[Anonymous]

We pay 195.75 per week as the stipend. We also give a huge bonus at the end of the year. We have never had an au pair rematch and several have stayed with us for two years. We are nice, our house is nice, our kids are nice, and our schedule is easy.