Granny au pair brings a new dimension to childcare

CHILDCARE can be a conundrum for families where both parents work full time, but a Claran family have found the perfect solution with a slightly unorthodox option.
Clodagh Barry and her husband Colm Muldowney live in the picturesque village just outside Headford with their three young children, Emmet, 8, Norah, 7 and four-year-old Eoin.
With both juggling hectic careers at either end of the county, the family resorted to au pairs to solve their childcare requirements.
The rotating nature of au pair placements meant the family had welcomed three young ladies into their home in recent years, with varying degrees of success.
However, since Ingrid Willnet, a 'granny au pair’ from northern Germany began working with the family in January, their childcare dilemma has finally been solved.
“I’d heard about granny aupairs from my sister-in-law who lives in Dublin so decided to do a bit of research to see if one would suit our family’s needs,” explains Clodagh.
“We have had three au pairs over the past few years and while they were all lovely young girls, Ingrid brings a different dimension to the family and we are all noticing the difference.

Read the full feature in this week's edition