Many people get confused between nannies and au pairs but there is a world of difference between them.

Unlike nannies, au pairs have no formal training in caring for children and most have little experience of it. Au pairs are foreign and their main reason for being in this country is to learn the language and enjoy some of the British culture.

Au pairs are not nanny substitutes. They are unqualified, often inexperienced, girls or boys of between 18-27 years of age. Home Office rules state that au pairs can only work 25 hours a week with a couple of evenings a week for babysitting and all their weekends free. A typical au pair position is to work five hours per day, Monday to Friday - usually caring for school-age children before and after school, and doing some light housework.

REC stipulates that au pairs should never have sole care of children under the age of three and that they should work 25 hours for £55 per week.

Next