Join our family in historic Scottish coastal town, Dunoon, UK

Details

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  Description

  We are a family of four - mother (Kitty), step-father (Dónal), and two children aged 8 (Evie - girl) and 6 (Arlo - boy).
  Dónal is a freelance skipper, so will be away sailing frequently during the summer sailing season, times for two/three weeks. Kitty is also working and developing a new business as well as learning to sail. Evie is a bright girl and loves unicorns, reading and storytelling, all things magic (especially potion making!) and loves active sports. Arlo is a sweet boy who loves to cuddle, building and creating inventions, cooking (he's very good a flipping burgers!), curious about the world (and asks lots about how the world works). Both children love spending time outside, taking part in sports, play dates with friends, all kinds of creative art activities and baking - Espically anything that involves licking the bowl / spoon.
  
  We are a relaxed, friendly family, with a great sense of humour - the children are well-mannered, sociable, and enthusiastic, with good language skills, and very much into sporting activities/clubs. One of our favorite things is taking part in 1000 hours outside challenge. We enjoy socialising - especially where live music is involved. We don't smoke but are relaxed about alcohol, in moderation. We treat the children as future adults and try to encourage them to be responsible, independent and answer their questions about the world truthfully in an age appropriate way.
  
  We try to live life as naturally as possible, for us this starts with food and drink we consume, most of the food we eat is organically grown, right through to the products we use in the house and things we chose to spend our money on. We are very much an ingredients household! We buy and eat the absolute bare minimum of processed items, sourcing as much as we can from small local growers and shopping at supermarkets as little as possible. We do allow the children to have some treats but tend to limit them to once or twice a week. Both Dónal and Kitty enjoy cooking from scratch, with a good balance of quality meat, dairy, and vegetables. We are all healthy, don't have any diseases or illnesses that require special treatments or medications, and don't usually need to visit the doctor, unless there's an accident!
  
  Dunoon is an attractive, busy little town, with a good community and lots of outdoor, sporting, music and cultural events happening all year. The ferry service to the Renfrewshire mainland is very frequent, reliable and places Glasgow within easy reach for a day/overnight trip.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Dunoon is an old Scottish Town, with plenty of history and tradition. There will be opportunities to experience (and possibly get involved with) pipe bands, fiddle clubs, music sessions in pubs and folk concerts in the excellent local venues. There are also many local arts and crafts events.

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  Au Pair Help

  This host has let us know they’ll be complying with UK regulations for au pair stays.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  We are looking for a talented, enthusiastic Aupair to support our family.
  
  Assistance will include getting children to and from school during term time and activities/clubs during holidays & after-school. Preparing breakfast & evening meals and looking after them during our working hours and light housework (vacuuming/dusting/laundry/dishes).
  
  There is no formal home-schooling but we actively engage with the children whenever it's appropriate, to develop their core language, numeracy, and general life skills, so we would be looking for an Aupair to share this approach. Who would also be able to support them with reading, writing and maths homework from school.
  
  Whilst the school is an easy, short walk from the house and won't require the use of a car, the ability to drive will be a huge bonus and allow for much more enjoyment of the area. We plan to insure our car for the successful applicant's use.
  
  There are lots of leisure facilities in Dunoon and the Argyll & Bute council area, we have a family membership that you will be able to make use of including a gym, swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and fitness classes (in-person and virtual).
  
  At the moment the children attend swimming lessons twice a week, football, beavers, shinty and sometimes after school clubs.
  
  Work days will need to be flexible to fit in with Kitty's rota but will average 5 days per week at the most. Wherever possible, we will do our best to ensure 2 consecutive days off each week, and £50 a week pocket money.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  would be delighted to exchange languages with our au pair.
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  Accommodation

  Maisonette, over two floors - shared entrance. Kitchen, toilet and open-plan living room downstairs. 3 bedrooms plus 1 shower room upsatirs. The Aupair will have their own room, with a comfortable, single bed, desk and built-in storage. There will also be a pull-out spare bed for occasional guest/family visits if required.
  
  All food will be provided. We will stock the cupboards, fridge/freezer and will agree on a weekly meal plan, to suit everyone. We do eat high-quality meat most days, so a willingness to prepare and cook meat will be essential.
  
  When Dónal is home, he will also cook and Kitty will cook on her days off/when her shifts allow.

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  What else ...

  Dunoon is a busy, popular place during the summer with plenty of music, arts, sporting and outdoor activities - including sailing. We will certainly be encouraging our Aupair to get involved in the community and make the most of everything the area has to offer.
  
  In terms of other expectations: we do not practice any religion but our values are of honesty, respect and integrity; we see equal value in creativity and practicality; spirituality and engineering. Neither do we align with any political party or ideology, we try to work as closely with nature, as possible and are completely pragmatic about all of it.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  We would be delighted to welcome someone living a digital nomadic lifestyle.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  No restrictions on the size of campervan that can be parked.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  Hours expected

  An average of 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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