HOW TO HIRE · CHILDCARE & FAMILY · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire an au pair in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
An au pair in Ireland costs €100–€150 per week, typically around €120. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
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- Nearest to you first
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THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring an au pair in five steps
- Are you on the Tusla register of childminding services, and what is your number?A number you can look up yourself before you agree a price — flexible Scheduling — most au pairs offer flexible scheduling, allowing families to find childcare solutions that fit their unique routines.
- How does number of children change the price?Each one still has to be done properly, however many there are. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does specific duties required change the price?The choice of style changes the skill the job needs. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Cultural Exchange — au pairs provide a cultural exchange experience, sharing their language and traditions with the host family — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a au pair job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
- Who insures you, and what is the policy number?Expect public liability covering minding in the home; ask to see it — light Household Tasks — in addition to childcare, au pairs often perform light household duties like laundry, cleaning, and tidying up children's rooms.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
Tusla Early Years Inspectorate — childminding registration
The childminding regulations apply only to a childminder caring for children in the CHILDMINDER'S OWN HOME.
Search the Tusla register of childminding services for the name or the registration number before you agree a price. tusla.ie →
Where the rules stand now
A childminder caring for 3 or fewer pre-school children, and 6 or fewer children in total, remains exempt for the transitional period. Registration becomes mandatory from September 2027. Registration is not yet mandatory for every childminder. Ask whether this childminder is registered, and if not, whether they fall inside the transitional exemption — both answers are legitimate in 2026.
Ask where they are in the process, and when they expect to be registered — the date is September 2027 either way. tusla.ie →
Garda vetting
National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012–2016 The regulation requiring vetting of household members aged 16 and over commenced on 1 February 2025. Vetting is carried out through a relevant organisation, not by a parent directly. Ask to see the disclosure the childminder holds.
Ask to see the garda vetting letter itself, with its date on it — not a statement that one exists.
Insurance
Expect public liability covering minding in the home; ask to see it. You are booking an individual for a set number of hours, so ask whether the ID has been checked and what the rating is from people who booked the same way — there is no company behind them to carry either.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
VAT
No VAT: this service is exempt, so there is none to add and none to reclaim. A quote that adds it is wrong. An individual working under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge VAT at all, and does not have a VAT number to give you.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: A number you can look up yourself before you agree a price — flexible Scheduling — most au pairs offer flexible scheduling, allowing families to find childcare solutions that fit their unique routines.
A good answer: Each one still has to be done properly, however many there are. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: The choice of style changes the skill the job needs. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Cultural Exchange — au pairs provide a cultural exchange experience, sharing their language and traditions with the host family — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a au pair job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect public liability covering minding in the home; ask to see it — light Household Tasks — in addition to childcare, au pairs often perform light household duties like laundry, cleaning, and tidying up children's rooms.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the au pair starts, and an itemised invoice after — childcare Duties — au pairs typically assist with daily childcare tasks, such as preparing meals, helping with homework, and organising playtime activities.
A good answer: No VAT: this service is exempt, so there is none to add and none to reclaim. A quote that adds it is wrong. An individual working under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge VAT at all, and does not have a VAT number to give you — childcare Duties — au pairs typically assist with daily childcare tasks, such as preparing meals, helping with homework, and organising playtime activities.
Booking by the hour
- The rate per hour, and whether it changes in the evening or at a weekend
- The minimum booking, and what happens if the job finishes early
- What they bring and what you supply
- Whether the ID has been checked, and the rating from people who booked the same way
- Insurance, where the work can damage something or somebody
- The hours and the list of what is to be done, agreed before the first one
Walk away if
- They are not on the Tusla register of childminding services, or the number does not resolve to the name on the quote
- They will not talk about it: number of children — each one still has to be done properly, however many there are
- They will not talk about it: specific duties required — the choice of style changes the skill the job needs
- They will not talk about it: number of hours required — the hours add up faster than people expect
- A price for the au pair before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
What an au pair costs: €100–€150 per week
The figures are for the job, per week, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Live-in au pair and Part-time au pair each carry their own band. Au Pair price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
Au pairs near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you.
- Look firstNumber of children — each one still has to be done properly, however many there are — that is what the au pair is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneSpecific duties required — the choice of style changes the skill the job needs — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfNumber of hours required — the hours add up faster than people expect — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherAu Pair's experience level — a more experienced professional charges more and usually works faster — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the au pair is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, living arrangements — it decides whether the work can be done in one go.
- Childcare Duties
- Au pairs typically assist with daily childcare tasks, such as preparing meals, helping with homework, and organising playtime activities.
- Light Household Tasks
- In addition to childcare, au pairs often perform light household duties like laundry, cleaning, and tidying up children's rooms.
- Cultural Exchange
- Au pairs provide a cultural exchange experience, sharing their language and traditions with the host family.
- Flexible Scheduling
- Most au pairs offer flexible scheduling, allowing families to find childcare solutions that fit their unique routines.
- Live-in Au Pair
- A full-time childcare provider who lives with the host family, offering daily support and companionship to children.
- Part-time Au Pair
- An Au Pair who works specific hours, providing flexible childcare solutions while allowing for personal time.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring an au pair: questions people ask
The cost of hiring an au pair can vary based on factors such as location, the number of children, and the specific duties required. Additionally, the experience level and qualifications of the au pair may also impact pricing.
Au pair placements typically last from a few months to up to a year, depending on the family's needs and the au pair's visa regulations. Many families prefer longer placements for consistency in childcare.
Most au pairs are not required to have formal childcare qualifications, but experience with children is often preferred. Families looking for specialised care, such as for children with special needs, may want to consider hiring qualified professionals instead.
While some agencies may offer same-day placements, it is generally advisable to plan ahead when hiring an au pair. Emergency childcare needs may be better served by local babysitting services.
Yes, many families choose to book multiple related jobs, such as childcare and light housekeeping, with the same au pair. This arrangement can provide continuity and convenience for both the family and the au pair.
Au pairs are generally not expected to perform heavy housework, take care of pets, or manage household finances. Their primary focus should be on childcare and light household tasks related to the children.
MORE GUIDES
More hiring guides in childcare & family
Au pairs near you
Sources — checked October 2026
- Tusla — childminding registration opened 30 September 2024
- Tusla — childminding services FAQs
- Department of Children — new regulations for childminding
- National Action Plan for Childminding 2021–2028
- Consumer Rights Act 2022
- Revenue — CHILDMINDING (Children and education) — Exempt
- Revenue — current VAT rates (effective 1 January 2026)
- Revenue — VAT thresholds: €42,500 for a person supplying services only