We’re flexible on start dates as our current au pair can be flexible on her move, but no later than Jan 18, we’re very happy to hold on for the right person. Here’s something about us…
We are a friendly, energetic and creative family looking for an energetic, happy and responsible au pair to work 4 days a week. Our amazing au pair of nearly 3 years, a fine art graduate, is moving on to start her new life after Christmas, so we are looking for someone to become part of our family and look after our two lovely children aged 6 and 11. They are both very enthusiastic, engaging children who are genuinely great fun to be around. An honest statement would also include that they can also be a bit Moody, they can drive each other nuts, and you’ll have to act as peacekeeper at times – so nothing unusual for a brother and sister! They enjoy art and crafts, cooking and baking, are very active and spend a lot of their time outside in various sports such as, swimming, gymnastics and cycling….lots of cycling! Equally, they’ll try to persuade you that it’d be good to have TV/Playstation for an hour, so be on your guard! However, we don’t deny them some screen time so it’s not all ‘out and about’. Our son struggles with literacy, dyslexia has handed him that challenge, so a patient and sensitive approach to his learning is required, but he does work really hard and is very keen to learn.
You will need to speak English fluently (ideally mother tongue) be a very active person yourself with a positive can-do attitude, and ideally a confident cyclist! We prepare most of our food from scratch with healthy ingredients, so we’re looking for someone who enjoys doing the same. We live right next to an amazing green belt, very close to the Olympic park and it's amazing facilities. If you run, swim, cycle ( and indeed if you’re a triathlete) skate, climb, ride horses, play Hockey, tennis and more, then it’s all within easy reach. Most activities are a walk away, but we also cycle a lot and part of the fun of this is getting the kids around on 2 wheels sometimes. Hackney also has a very vibrant arts and cultural scene, so plenty to keep you occupied there.
Both attend local schools full-time 9am-3.30pm, our 6 year old daughter’s school is just a 5 minute walk away, our son now goes to secondary school so he gets himself there and back.
We have a nice house (very much lived in rather than a show home) on a quiet street in a vibrant part of Hackney, East London. There are plenty of shops, cafes, cool markets, lots of parks and some fantastic green space. The area has a strong community feel with lots of young people as well as families, and is a very multi cultural area with plenty of opportunities to make friends.
We are 6 miles from Central London (zone2) 8 minute overground train journey to the huge Westfield shopping centre, Stratford, 10 Mins to Liverpool Street. The area has good transport connections via bus, overground trains and mainline trains which connect into the tube system.
Here’s the detail…
We are looking for someone who:
Speaks fluent English, ideally mother tongue.
Ideally is currently living in the UK, preferably London
Is aged 22 + years
Is a cyclist.and loves to be active.
Has real experience with children and childcare, can work using their own initiative.
Has a genuine love and passion for looking after young children and is responsible, energetic, honest, patient and organised.
Enjoys cooking, and can cook well – the kids love to help too!
Committed to stay in the job for at least 12 months.
Has a UK/EU Visa/ work permit and can provide references.
Is a non smoker
Is ideally trained in First Aid
You will need to be available for interview in London.
We can offer you:
A lovely, quiet, large bedroom at the top of a large family house with your own bathroom, WIFI, TV, NETFLIX.
A 4 day working week – the other 3 days are all yours!
We can offer around £100 per week depending on experience, and will provide food and home comforts.
5 weeks paid holiday per year to be taken when the family are on holiday or with prior agreement.
Working hours and responsibilities:
Monday to Thursday 7.45am -9.15, then 3.30- 6.30 pm (approximately.) in school term time.
Monday to Thursday 7.45am - 6.30 pm (approximately.) in some school holidays
Help the children with breakfast, getting dressed.
School run to and from school ( 5 Mins walk away) and after school care.
Full time care, 4 days a week, of both children during the school holidays and in the event of sickness – approximately 8 weeks of the year in total.
One evening babysitting per week sometimes including the weekend.
Ensuring children are stimulated with age appropriate activities, including trips to parks, sports activities, museums, arts and crafts, cooking, reading and organizing playdates.
Preparing tasty, varied and nutritionally balanced meals for the children – they are very keen to do some baking and cooking too!
Keeping the house tidy and cleaning up after the children.
Doing the children’s laundry.
We are not looking for someone to be a cleaner and maid for the whole household! We are primarily concerned in finding someone who will spend their time focused on the children.
Please send us your CV, references, and write a little about yourself and why this is of interest to you. Also, a photo of yourself, ideally one of you with a family you have worked for before.We would then require you to visit us for a face to face interview in London, or Skype if you’re in AUS, NZ, US etc.