Nannies nudged out by au pairs

Au pair Emma Steinholtz with Lachlan (L) and Flynn O'Sullivan. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Cash-strapped parents are turning to foreign au pairs as a cheaper alternative to nannies.

One agency said the number placed with Kiwi families had doubled since this time last year.

Au Pair Link managing director Cecilia Robinson said three-quarters of her clients had previously used a nanny, but many couldn't afford wages of up to $20 an hour.

"We're finding a lot of people just can't afford it anymore. It's just not economical to go back to work if you need a nanny."

The agency was bringing in 16 new au pairs this month, 60 per cent more than last July, while August figures had doubled.

Robinson said many clients were Kiwis returning from overseas, where au pairs were more common. She said the credit crunch was boosting the standard of workers, with many au pairs qualified teachers, childcare workers and nurses struggling to find work in Europe.

Families provide the au pair with free meals and accommodation, and pay them $180 to $200 a week.

Nelson-based agency Au Pairs for Kiwi Kids is also fielding more inquiries, particularly from rural families.

"It's an option that's much less expensive than having a nanny coming in," said owner Birte Feldmann.

"The whole au pair idea was new to many families here, but now families have started having positive experiences."

But others in the industry warned overseas workers shouldn't be seen as a cheap replacement for fully trained nannies.

Mereana Mastny, who places nannies and au pairs through Kiwi Aupair, said some parents expected too much for their money. And she warned people caring for young children, especially when both parents were at work, needed appropriate qualifications.

Some were opting for "student help", foreign students who provide before and after-school care, and study during the day.

Robinson said Au Pair Link workers were always placed according to their skills and experience. They were also trained in an accredited early childhood education programme, which meant families qualified for the Government's 20 free hours' subsidy.

Milking life experience

When Swedish au pair Emma Steinholtz took a job on a Taranaki dairy farm, she planned to stay well clear of the milking shed.

"I said, 'I'm looking after the kids, there's no way I'm going near those cows'. But I ended up milking the cows all by myself."

Steinholtz has worked for the O'Sullivans for a year, caring for Flynn, 3, and Lachlan, 18 months.

After a few months on the farm she tried her hand at milking - and enjoyed it so much she took on an extra job as a relief milker.

The 21-year-old had been struggling to find a job at home, and had several friends working as au pairs in Europe.

But many of her new Kiwi mates struggled to understand the concept.

"They thought I was an exchange student, but I'm a full-time, working nanny."

Mother Karen O'Sullivan hired an au pair to avoid a two-year waiting list for childcare.

The children see more of dad Simon and there's no rush to get to daycare in the morning.

Steinholtz returns to Sweden this week, where she hopes her New Zealand adventure will help her application to join the police.

"They say you need life experience, and if going to New Zealand by myself for a year and milking cows isn't life experience, then I don't know what is."