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Original poster

Nannies: market rates (bit controversial)

878 replies

Tanzie · 10/04/2005 19:35

Having read on another thread ("Paying Nannies when sick") gripes from UK nannies about jobs going to girls from accession countries who will work for less, (and do more in the way of housework), is this not just pushing the market rate down for qualified/experienced nannies?

I am not in UK, but I would look at it as providing more affordable childcare, provided you can find someone trustworthy and reliable. I lived in UK briefly about 4 years ago and a nanny friend of mine was earning GBP 25,000 and got a flat thrown in with it. This is more than I was earning at the time and could never have afforded this sort of money for someone to look after my children.

I am not suggesting slave labour from Central European girls, or paying them an au pair's "pocket money" for what is essentially a nanny job, but paying them a reasonable wage and providing free accommodation means that a lot of people, who could not afford a nanny or nursery fees, will probably be able to get back to work.

Of course, there will always be those who want a Norland nanny and can afford one, but it seems to me that your average Mum would welcome these Central Europeans with open arms...

I'll run and hide now...

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Beetroot · 10/04/2005 23:48

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Ellienj · 10/04/2005 23:47

What Im saying thou Beetroot is WHY do I need to back up my OPINION with stats?? As its MY opinion not a FACT!!!!!

CroNanny · 10/04/2005 23:47

I am a Croatina Nanny, and I been working in UK for 10 years with children from newborns to school age. I had some bad families who wanted me to do everything (cooking, cleaning,ironing,washing and so on) and needless to say, I didn't stay there very long. But I did find some very nice families where I stayed for few years at a time. Current family nearly 3 years. I think I am flexible, and I try to assist in running of the household. If I use the last of something, I put it on the shopping list, if we run out of milk, I nip to the shop to get it, if there is only half a load of kiddies washing, I fill it up with parents stuff (no point running half a load), and if the dishwasher is full I will empty it as I use the dishes as well!!!
Personally, I don't think that these tasks should be obligatory for a nanny to do, but any nanny who refuses to do it has a stick up her arse (sorry)
It is different if parents expect everything and don't do much themselves, that is a different ball game.
I get to work and find everything clean and tidy, and at the end of the day I leave it like that as well.
I think a nanny is there to be with the kids primarily, but such small tasks should not get in the way of that.
My little charge (2 years old) loves it when we are loading the washing machine. It is still educational and helps him with his motoring skills, it also teaches him from early age that work needs to be done (or they grow up thinking there is a laundry fairy in the house lol)
All of the small household tasks can be educational in a way, and a good nanny will find a way to incoporate those in a day.
Off course, there are days when we are out all day (on a day trip to zoo or something like that) so things don't get done, but nobody minds as kids were having fun.
And whem my charges are sleeping or in school I have time to have a cup of tea in peace, and recharge untill the next round
I do not watch TV whilst at work, and I don't let my charges watch it either.
I don't do ironing or cleaning, that is what they have a cleaning/ironing lady for, but I do clean up daily after myself and the kids.
I think it is important to have flexibility, but flexibility works only if both parties are participating!!!!!

Original poster
Tanzie · 10/04/2005 23:47

Oh no, another Xenophobe. I'm off to bed.

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colditzmum · 10/04/2005 23:47

Actually if there was one bad nanny to every 3 or 4 bad mothers, that would be a hell of a lot of bad nannies, cos there is nowhere near as many nannies in this country as there is mothers!

lockets · 10/04/2005 23:45

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Lisa2 · 10/04/2005 23:45

Penny, i agree with you!!
And i know your not racist... you wouldent be allowed to work with kids if you were

Original poster
Tanzie · 10/04/2005 23:45

You'd find a job there, Penny Lsne - if you didn't mind working for GBP 200 per month.

Oh how parochial "they don't speak English..."

Since when has English been the official language of any of the new EU countries? You get off your arse and learn a language, then you look for a job in the country.

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Ellienj · 10/04/2005 23:45

Welll said Penny, Our country DOES have it wrong with regards to 'leting' others into 'our' country!

colditzmum · 10/04/2005 23:45

Penny Lane, are you saying that nannies who are not Anglo Saxon with a cut glass accent don't contribute? Why are you so xenophobic?

Beetroot · 10/04/2005 23:44

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lockets · 10/04/2005 23:43

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PennyLane79 · 10/04/2005 23:43

Why would I go to Poland or anywhere else I dont speak the language and I probably wouldn't find a job there as a nanny. Hence they are coming here. But we are small country and I think we need to help the people already in it, paying taxes and contributing before we help the others.
I am refering to America, Canada and Australia because I believe those countries have got it straight, they only let people into the country who will not take an a,c,or oz's job and will contribute to the country in a way. We need to be more like that.

Original poster
Tanzie · 10/04/2005 23:43

Good point Lockets.

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Original poster
Tanzie · 10/04/2005 23:42

Yes, why shouldn't Penny Lane choose what country she wants to work in? But by her own admission, those that she chooses won't allow her to work in her profession...

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Ellienj · 10/04/2005 23:42

Well I dont see the problem! Maybe you should try to explain it calmly, beetroot. Can you do this?

lockets · 10/04/2005 23:41

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Beetroot · 10/04/2005 23:41

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Original poster
Tanzie · 10/04/2005 23:40

I'd also say that the UK's economy is booming, whereas those countries which have not allowed new EU members to work there are not in such a healthy state.

Shall we start a proud European thread, then, Beety?

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omega2 · 10/04/2005 23:40

why shouldn't penny lane choose which country she wants to work in?

Beetroot · 10/04/2005 23:40

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colditzmum · 10/04/2005 23:39

Right.

Any nanny who thinks that being a child's nanny is better than being it's mother?

Anyone?

Because all of us here are either nannies or mothers. We both do a bloody hard job.

lockets · 10/04/2005 23:39

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Original poster
Tanzie · 10/04/2005 23:39

Penny Lane - it's racist. I see you are only considering employment in English speaking countries such as the US and Australia. Perhaps you should have a go at learning Polish and going to work there. Or Germany, or any other EU country.

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Beetroot · 10/04/2005 23:39

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