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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Nanny pay

32 replies

SallySooo · 06/01/2026 18:38

I will likely get roasted for this but I’m interested in others’ thoughts. All the threads on nanny pay on various groups are constantly moaning about how parents don’t appreciate that nannies need to be paid X amount, etc etc and that employers are being well paid. Firstly no we are not. Most salaries in the corporate world have not caught up with inflation. Most people (employers of nannies) have not had a raise in years. I feel that nannies need to take some responsibility for the fact that they have chosen a career path where most employers are a mother and a father - not a huge corporation with deep pockets. In the same way that a lawyer may accept that if they work in a high street firm as opposed to a major firm their salary will be lower as the people paying the fees are normal people I feel that nannies need to take responsibility for the path they have chosen. All this woe is me. Own it. Rant over. I do actually think that nannies should be paid fairly BUT to make out that nice employers are monsters for negotiating the pay is irritating me.

OP posts:
Dozer · 06/01/2026 19:28

Your arguments are silly.

YABU not to grasp basic economics.

PhyllisTwigg · 06/01/2026 19:29

I'm amazed at how much nannies earn compared with nursery workers or childminders. They're basically doing the same job but with fewer kids and more freedom. It's not a career, no progression or CPD. Just babysitting, tidying up and preparing meals.

MILLYmo0se · 06/01/2026 19:31

SallySooo · 06/01/2026 19:07

@TaxBrainthank you for your comment. I can afford a nanny actually.

So if in your employment sector you went looking for a new job and they offered you 10-15% than the average rate for the role would you take it? Doesn't matter if you are working for a big company or a couple why would anyone be expected to sell themselves short?

bumptybum · 06/01/2026 19:31

SallySooo · 06/01/2026 19:02

If you choose an industry where your salary is paid by normal people, you have to accept that forever you’re negotiating salary with normal people. Like my wills & probate example. You’re not negotiating a salary with a huge corporation in the city. I’m not sure it’s fair to label these people as awful people. And no I don’t think Nannies should be underpaid. What I resent is horrible horrible language being used about parents who try to pay £18 instead of £22 per hour to make it work. Even if they’re not pushy they just ask. The Nannies get so angry.

I don’t think anyone should get angry. Just don’t take the job.

I do suggest you rethink your logic though. Childcare is not some homogeneous role. If a nanny is required to have a degree in early childhood education and to speak 3 languages and able to work inconvenient hours and be personable and presentable and organise the children’s very complex calendars then they will command more than a childminder.

NuffSaidSam · 06/01/2026 19:31

onetrickrockingpony · 06/01/2026 19:28

The thing that I find frustrating with Nanny negotiation (and I’ve had this several times) is where they insist on a pay rate based on what they receive net. So they say “I have to receive £17.50 per hour net”. In no other circumstance have I ever come across an employee setting their pay by what they want to receive net.

I had an awkward and expensive start once when it was only at the last minute when the nanny turned around and said that they meant £17.50 after their own salary sacrifice pension contribution (meaning I had to increase the gross pay yet again to cover paying for her employers and employee pension contributions. And then later there was further misunderstanding because on agreeing the gross pay based upon her expected net pay she had not factored in that her personal allowance was entirely used up by her other part time position (which was entirely her own business and outside of my scope). And so then I felt I had to pay even more and then give her a crash course in tax codes. And this was a professional nanny who had been in the working world for at least 30 years. Agh.

You can blame agencies for this. It's absolutely infuriating!

NuffSaidSam · 06/01/2026 19:32

PhyllisTwigg · 06/01/2026 19:29

I'm amazed at how much nannies earn compared with nursery workers or childminders. They're basically doing the same job but with fewer kids and more freedom. It's not a career, no progression or CPD. Just babysitting, tidying up and preparing meals.

You nearly got me with this!

Cheeky!

H202too · 06/01/2026 19:41

They chose their career? You could say that about anything though. You chose to have kids and still work. You choose a Nanny and not a nursery. Etc

However wages aren't what they used to be for anyone. Tom Kerridge was on today about the hospitality industry. Life just is more expensive to even live these days sadly.

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