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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Childminder situation

53 replies

CMissues · 28/05/2021 20:36

NC for privacy from other threads as could be outing
Looking for opinions on my situation. Im a childminder for 2 primary age children and do drop of and pick up from school. Start at 7.30/7.45 and finish anywhere from 6.15 to 7pm.

Here’s the thing, I’m being paid £8 an hour. I’m quite a shy person and when I took on the job as I thought minimum wage was only £8.20 I let it go when they said £8. But NMW is actually £8.91. On holidays too they pay me a day rate of £70 for 8am- 6.30pm.

I think I’m being mugged off here. They ask me regularly if I’m learning to drive yet as I walk the children to school but I’m only being paid £8 an hour. I live with parents currently after escaping DV and im barely affording to feed myself let alone learn to drive.

Do I say something or just cut loses and look for something else? I took this job as it’s part time and I need PT due to my MH but I feel very undervalued.

OP posts:

SometimesMaybe · 28/05/2021 21:07

And she has a purse with £20 cash for spends if they go for a cake or whatever (I pay for hers too) and I keep it topped up.

Original poster

CMissues · 28/05/2021 21:09

I am only paid when I have the children and not while they are at school.

I feel like if I raise my rate they will just find someone else and then I’ll be unemployed completely. I should add I cook their tea every day and make breakfast. The children don’t have iPads so I am constantly interacting with them. They’re not just sat there zoned out while i supervise.

OP posts:

DancingQueen85 · 28/05/2021 21:10

Oh in that case you are absolutely being underpaid.

hibbledibble · 28/05/2021 21:11

Terminology is important, so that people can understand the situation.

Op, you shouldn't be paid less than minimum wage, it's illegal.

Have a look what the local going nanny rate is, and find another family.

DarcyLewis · 28/05/2021 21:18

Where abouts in the country are you?

In most places it is difficult to find before & after school nannies. If you are qualified I'm sure you will find another job.

I would speak to your employers and say you've realised minimum wage is £8.91 an hour and you are being paid under that.
Also, sign up with some nanny agencies and look for another role.

LagunaBubbles · 28/05/2021 21:18

Does it really matter if the OP is a nanny or childminder, surely £8 per hour is not acceptable in either circumstance?!

Of course it matters! That's the crux of it as childminders are self employed. The a wage cost per hour for a childminder in my area is £4 an hour, they look after mire than 1 child.

Shewholovedthethebanhills · 28/05/2021 21:19

As you're an employee you should also have a pension. But it sounds as though they're not fulfilling their duties as an employer and are saying you're self-employed? Which you're not. I'd look for a new post - this one sounds exploitative.

DarcyLewis · 28/05/2021 21:19

@Imafraidimnotmyself

Does it really matter if the OP is a nanny or childminder, surely £8 per hour is not acceptable in either circumstance?! OP you definitely deserve at least NMW, and good luck to them finding someone else who would do it if you were to leave them. If I were you I would be looking for other work with a employer who knows your worth, good luck!

It matters because childminders are self-employed and don't get minimum wage.

Happyhappyday · 28/05/2021 21:20

I mean, to put it in perspective, we pay our nanny £20/hour. And don’t treat her like shit. I think there is high demand for childcare right now so I’d definitely look for another job & then give notice.

SkodaKodiaq · 28/05/2021 21:28

Oh OP :( I really hope you get this sorted and find correctly paid work, either with them or elsewhere. By the sounds of it, you'd be better off with a nicer family!

LuaDipa · 28/05/2021 21:28

They are absolute cf and you really will find better out there. If you are worried about being unemployed, look around while keeping your job for now. Honestly I am livid for you, there will be families desperate for a before and after school nanny and would really value you.

Theboywiththearabstrap · 28/05/2021 21:30

You are a nanny. They should be paying your Tax & NI as well as contributing to a pension. They should also have a float where you can access money for ice creams etc and give them the receipts. You are being taken for a fool. I’d look for another family to work with.

Hankunamatata · 28/05/2021 21:33

www.childcare.co.uk/costs/

I dont know any child minder that's paid min hourly wage. Usually around £4 an hour at most as most have around 4/6 children.

Hoppinggreen · 28/05/2021 21:34

@Imafraidimnotmyself

It does because a CM Is generally SE and a Nanny usually isn’t

MolyHolyGuacamole · 28/05/2021 21:38

I assume you're being paid in cash then, as if they were using payroll the company would have advised them to pay at least NMW.

I'd suggest finding a new job, a family paying you this little doesn't appreciate your worth.

And please have a look at this link so that you can educate yourself and potential employers on the differences between the types of child care. It makes you look more professional and therefore more hireable if you know what you're talking about and you know what rates are appropriate for which type of role www.google.com/amp/s/www.childcare.co.uk/amp/information/what-type-of-childcare

MolyHolyGuacamole · 28/05/2021 21:41

This link includes a salary guide www.nannytax.co.uk/childcare-options

Original poster

CMissues · 28/05/2021 22:10

They refer to me and the children do as their childminder which is why I said as such. I know the difference fgs.

OP posts:

Phineyj · 28/05/2021 22:13

If you're in London consider signing up with Koru Kids and elsewhere/London, with Sitters. In the nicest possible way, you sound a bit vulnerable and not very clued up on rates of pay and tax, so it would be good to be with an agency that does things properly.

EarringsandLipstick · 28/05/2021 22:22

@CMissues

They refer to me and the children do as their childminder which is why I said as such. I know the difference fgs.

Don't worry OP, in Ireland, we'd use the term child minder in this situation too, even tho it's more correctly a nanny.

JackANackAnoreeee · 29/05/2021 07:08

I'd look for alternative employment. They sound unpleasant and they've obviously emparted this unpleasant attitude onto their kids.

Hummingbirdblue · 29/05/2021 07:13

I would advertise yourself as a nanny and look elsewhere. You are well and truly being taken for a mug here.

appletart99 · 29/05/2021 07:21

Hi OP, I am really sorry for you as they sound like they are taking the absolute piss. They are paying childminder rates but have the convenience of you coming to them and you only looking after their children. This is not how it works (usually) and they will know this.
If they want a nanny, they would need to pay much more than this (depending on where you are in the U.K. it would be more like £11-14/hr). But as you are only being paid for pick up/drop offs and school holidays they should be paying a fair bit more. Are they paying into a pension for you?
I would be looking for a new job or asking to put your rates up. Don't be afraid of them finding someone else as they won't be able to - not for the amount they are preparing to pay / hours on offer.

We have a nanny (school aged plus pre-school kids). She has a petty cash purse and a pre-loaded Visa card for any child related costs. Wouldn't dream of asking her to pay and then pay her back. Once the younger ones are in school we know full well we will probably have to pay her the same salary even though she won't be needed during school hours, because you can't just drop and pick someone up in school holidays. If we can't afford it/don't want to pay that then we will use an after school childminder (and the kids will go to them) plus holiday camps.

They don't sound like they have a very nice attitude anyway so I would look elsewhere. You are definitely worth much more than this!!

Skyla2005 · 29/05/2021 08:17

@CMissues

Nanny then I suppose. I’m qualified yes, have experience working from newborns to 11 years and have worked with children since I was 16. I’m 25.

It’s looking after 2 children in their home so I travel to them.

So you are a qualified nanny. Most nannies these days earn between 9 and 12 pound an hour

Skyla2005 · 29/05/2021 08:20

@CMissues

It really gets me down when they ask about when I’m learning to drive as honestly i can barely afford to feed myself once I’ve deducted my travel costs from what I’m paid.

Sometimes they say things like ‘get them an ice cream on the way from school and we’ll reimburse you’. They assume I have the money to spend doing that in the first place.

That is wrong. You need to ask for a kitty for things you buy for the children and take it out of there They can only get away with this if you allow it. Maybe look for another job and start with better conditions from the beginning of you need to agree all these things before you start otherwise people take advantage

CaramelWaferAndTea · 29/05/2021 08:23

In law you’re a nanny, and in law, they are doing many things wrong, including presumably paying you in cash. I’m so sorry.

I think you need to look for another job. It’s completely unacceptable for the children to talk down to you. If you’re in London Korey kids is a good option?

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