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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

How is it fair?

181 replies

princessfiona · 03/02/2005 10:14

How is it fair?

  1. To expect someone to work for 10-12 hours a day looking after your children for so little money?

  2. Would you do it for so little money?

  3. Even if they come from a country not as wealthy as UK or USA etc.

  4. Do you think they should have a pay increase?

  5. I know that it is allowed legally to pay under the minimum wage but does it mean that looking after your children is worth so little?

  6. If your daughter went to another country would you want them to be treated in the same way and paid the same?

  7. How much time off do they have? Whole weekends without babysitting?

OP posts:
tarantula · 03/02/2005 16:48

Im editing a website, Setting up a new computer user and trying to sort out a problem in an access database..In between going on Mumsnet of course

Original poster
princessfiona · 03/02/2005 16:52

one of my friends does something with compuiters some sort of desk top publishing but also is on mumsnet and other sites but she gets paid per job rahter than per hour and most of the time is only one in the office.

But if you work for big company how do you hide it?

OP posts:
HeyEnidYouveLostWeight · 03/02/2005 16:55

I'm surprised at the drubbing princessfiona has got on here. I personally know two mums who do have au pairs that they use for considerably more than five hours a day, both have sole charge of a small baby plus two other children. Neither of them go to language classes and both are expected to cook and clean for the kids - eg Nanny job, au pair wages.

I can't believe its that uncommon.

tarantula · 03/02/2005 16:55

cos its one of 10 windows I have open on my screen atm so its a little one down the bottom. Im in an office with 4 other people all are chatting on MSN etc at diff times during the day so theres no probs there as long as we get all our work done. And now Im off home to dp and dd so have a good evening all.

HeyEnidYouveLostWeight · 03/02/2005 16:55

I work for a tiny compnay so can hide mumsnet pretty well, in fact when at home with kids am rarely (well comparitively ) on.

Original poster
princessfiona · 03/02/2005 16:57

thanks enid

I cant understand why they think it is fair either?

But they obviously do and get very angry too

which I think is sad

I dont want anger

OP posts:
Original poster
princessfiona · 03/02/2005 16:58

It is quite funny to think about all the addicts in the workplace

OP posts:
crunchie · 03/02/2005 17:01

My boss asks me what MN says on a particular subject!!

I am always getting told off, and I go througfh phases of being good - ie no MN - but also when I am bored I am really bad!!

I am sorry if we all took your questions out of context, but wobbly has perhaps explained what you mean and now it makes more sense. I have no idea why people do pay peanuts, although I was always aware I paid less than some, I made sure my nanny was happy. She may get paid more now, but her employers 'tell' her what to do, rather than 'ask' if you would like to IYKWIM

I always said if I could pay her more I would and that if ever she wanted to leave she could, but she didn't. I have seen nannies being expoited but less from a money angle, more that teh empoyers takes the p**s and comes home late without warning and asks for overtime without paying it.

HeyEnidYouveLostWeight · 03/02/2005 17:02

and one of those mums doesn't even work. She cooks a lot and plays golf.

Original poster
princessfiona · 03/02/2005 17:05

thanks crunchie

about your boss

I have'nt put it very well today

I just was getting a bit confused as to why everyone kept being angry with me.

OP posts:
crunchie · 03/02/2005 17:10

That's OK I think personally I hate defending my choice to work, therefore I get riled if someone is suggesting I should be at home, when that is not an option either. It is DH wages that cover the childcare bills, and sometimes it isn't worth him working in a finacial sense, but it is a matter of pride/self worth.

serenequeen · 03/02/2005 20:41

anyone else thinking...

it lives under bridges and tries to eat billygoats gruff?

HappyMumof2 · 03/02/2005 20:43

Message withdrawn

Yorkiegirl · 03/02/2005 20:49

Message withdrawn

Original poster
princessfiona · 03/02/2005 20:50

why are you saying that?

OP posts:
Original poster
princessfiona · 03/02/2005 20:54

Do you want links to all the threads i have been on just to proove who i am and that i have been here since oct/nov 2004.

just because i dont post very much why should i be a troll

OP posts:
serenequeen · 03/02/2005 21:04

well, since you asked i've just done a quick search on you in archived messages - 3 threads, all with similarly gnomic utterances.

if you're not a troll i apologise - if you are, i'm bowing out now so as not to feed you more.

moondog · 03/02/2005 21:12

pf, I'd be flattered that people are going to the trouble to look up your past stuff! You've obviously caused a stir!
BTW,never understand all this stuff about 'trolls' and the resultant outrage that 'outing' one causes. Again people should be flattered that someone is expending time and energy sparring with them.
Bring 'em on I say!!

Tanzie · 03/02/2005 21:38

Sorry PF, but with some of your comments here about working mums, I have to say I wasn't surprised at some of the comments you got back. I won't add to them. Uwila and Crunchie's views were the same as mine. I would love to work part time instead of my usual 10 hour days in the office (and before anyone starts, yes, I do come home and cook and clean on top of that) and spend more time with my children. But it is not an option for me a) I am breadwinner and we couldn't survive on what DH earns and b) my employer wouldn't consider it anyway.

I'd hope there is no-one on here who exploits their childcarer in the way you have said. After all this is MUMSNET - if we post on here, it is because, surely, we want the best for our children, the best we can afford.

I know of some childminders in UK who charge GBP 2.50 - 3.00 per hour - that seems pretty low to me as well. Is it fair to expect anyone to work for that age? No, it is not.

Aero · 03/02/2005 21:40

Agree too with WSK - said pretty much what I was thinking so saved me typing it. In my nannying days (and I was well treated and fairly paid by a family I have every respect for - parents are doctors and worked hard to become them in order to support their family), I knew a few Au pairs who were working much longer hours than they were meant to and IMO were exploited by their employers. It seemed to me they were pretty much doing a job like mine for much less money and that did seem unfair. Not to say anyone on mn would dream of exploiting their au pairs, but just to say that unfortunately it does happen. Have no idea how common it is though - hopefully not very common.

wobblystarryknicks · 03/02/2005 21:49

tanzie - only thing about childminders - if they were minding say 3 kids at £3 per hour, they'd be getting £9 an hour whereas an au pair could be looking after 3 kids and still getting under minimum wage.

Tanzie · 03/02/2005 21:51

WK - true - maths never was my strong point!

wobblystarryknicks · 03/02/2005 21:52

LOL tanzie, agree that childminders who have only one or two mindees don't get a lot but at least they can choose to increase their income with more kids and/or dictate their own terms rather than being dictated to.

KatieMac · 03/02/2005 21:56

BUT the childminder would also have to pay out for all her expenses before her actual wage was calculated....(so speaks the c/mer who has recently worked her 'wage' out to be £1.52 an hour for a 52.5 hr week )

wobblystarryknicks · 03/02/2005 21:58

True KM, but then a cm can take up to 6 kids can't they? But £1.52, didn't realise the profit was that low!!