Au pairs generally work around 25 hours a week but can work up to 30. If your au pair is agreeable, they can work extra hours (for instance in the school holidays) for extra pocket money. Calculate the hours from when you need your au pair to be up and on duty in the morning until the end of the morning duties. The same for the afternoon. If each day has a different routine, calculate the hours on duty each day. If you need your au pair to babysit in the evenings, this needs to be agreed in advance and you will need to pay your au pair extra for this. You should pay a minimum hourly rate of £4.00 for babysitting. You should also pay a minimum of £4.00 an hour for any extra hours over and above the agreed weekly hours. Your au pair will need to be given the weekend off - both Saturday and Sunday. If you need your au pair to babysit on her/his days off, these needs to be agreed in advance.