Nannies: market rates (bit controversial)

[Tanzie]

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...

I stand corrected, but even at 4.85 ph at 60 hours per week the salary would be £291 pw. Still a lot less than my cleaner!!!!!

Isn't the minimum wage £4.85?

I wonder how she would like cleaning for 60 hours every week.

Minimum wage is in fact currently £4.85. It is due to go up to £5.05 in October. These numbers are gross. Can we stop relating them to a net pay where all living expenses are covered.

And, why do people pay their nannies net? Every other profession I know of the emplyee is expected to fork over his / her taxes after gross pay. But, for some reason, nannies seem to manage to convince people to pay themnet.

It does seem mad, Uwila. I wonder if nannies historically were paid under the table?

That's my guess, Ameriscot. I think it is a practice left over from the days when nannies were domestic servants, rather than proper employees, as they are today. I think they were paid in cash and there were no employer obligations on the part of the parents. I don't really know, this is a guess. But, they seem to be getting the best of both worlds for sure.

However, there is no law requiring parents to pay net. It just seems to be practice.

It seems weird that a nanny should be protected from the whims of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

are you lot still going (esp ameriscot!!) do you have nothing better to do then argue on this link for days on end.

I believe there is only one other "profession" that is like that

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Au pair is dealing with the kids so I can MN

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No kidding, Cod? Is that the same thread as the one where they are discussing flatulence?

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As a matter of fact Nanny Jo I must pathetically confes that I do in fact have nothing better to do at work. I am due to go on maternity leave soon. So, no one has any projects they want to staff me onto just for me to run off a month or two later. So I take the opportunity to talk and learn about other people's nanny experiences. It's educational for me. Helps me be a better employer to my nanny because I learn from youguys (even if I disagree) what nanny's expect and what they don't like.

I hope they aren't leaving their little darlings unattended!

These baths wouldn't take place at 1.40pm would they?

I don't get paid any more even though I live out so yes while you live in you get a better than average wage but in you don't want to live with the family, which I wouldn't want to even if I didn't have a family you do don't earn any more.

Further if you have soemone living in you also have to feed them, pay for extra utilities and lose you privacy as a family.

Equally if you live in you have to fit with the family and disappear when required and also behave as your boss sees you when you've had a druken night with the girls. Which I'm sure we can all admit to enjoying a few of those. You also have the lose of privacy issue as live in an can't have friends round like you would in your own home. Short term great but as a long term career most nannies eventually want their own home.

I agree £300 without any bills is a good salary but not one I'd give up my privacy for. £300 (less tax) is not such a great salary if you have bills and all the other expenses of living these days.

If you also take into account the lack of career opportunities its not really an ideal job. The attraction remains the same when you start to when you finish being with and work with the children there are no career opportunities or promotions available.

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Meant to add to my last post in case anyone wants to get upset

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i didn't realise the idea was to mock nannies now! how sad you lot have to come to this. we are good people doing a FANTASTIC job whatever the issue is here. Don't you all go on about your children in innane ways isn't that part of parent hood to bore non parental types to death about feeding, nappies etc????

We really miss stars on this board, Cod. Actually, I don't want to know how many posts I've made...

You've driven us to this, Nannyjo!

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