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...

'Supper Nanny' is on tonight, not super au-pair, i bet she doesn't get "pocket money"

Sorry couldn't resist. Now I'M stirring.

no-one's biting back, not fair!!!

They are probably watching supernanny.

And I bet she makes more money than any of us.

I'm sure we could all post on here bitching about our jobs. If you don't like it, don't do it! Even if nannyK's wage is £5 gross, it's still pretty good live-in money. I've certainly never been able to count on, what was it? - £22K gross to spend more or less as I like with no living expenses. It's a heck of a lot for a parent to find. Not all working mums earn enough to afford a full time nanny. Now if only the chancellor would make childcare tax deductible as a business expense (as a chauffeur/cleaner can be) then I'm sure parents would be able to pay more and nannies could earn more and the everyone would be happy. But that's a whole new thread (or rather an old one that I contributed to weeks ago).

I guess if you are working as a live in £5 per hour is a fantastic wage.
Please not that minimum wage does not apply to live in jobs!!!
I am a live out and I earn £8 per hour net, about £11 gross I guess. I work 4 days in total 44 hours, and by the time I pay my rent, council tax, bills and pay for petrol, car insurance and buy food I have nothing left
So I can not see how I would survive on a £5 an hour

so, where did all these nanny-posters come from all of a sudden?

the nannyjob site... somewhere down this thread is a link to their thread about this thread

i am nanny and mummy

been on site long before this thread came up. Lets not get anti-nanny now!

who's anti-nanny?

What have I started here? I thought it was going to be a bit controversial, but - wow!

Are we still waiting for that British nanny to tell us why she is worth so much more money then?

Lockets, if you need a hand at weekends, Lisa2 is advertising her services under "Employment Issues" on this site.

No comment. No comment at all...

Yep, Tanzie.

We've had a couple of British nannies blowing their own trumpet, but they have not said how their Britishness has contributed to their brilliance.

Have just read the thread on nannyjobs discussing this thread

They seem incredibly disparaging of everyone here and your opinions, much as many posters here are being disparaging of nannies.

What bothers me about this whole issue is 2-fold

• there is a huge lack of respect for parents emanating from the nannyjob message board, it would make me worried to leave my children with anybody like that

• there is a huge lack of respect for nannies emanating from this thread, they do a difficult job being a parent to children who aren't their own (just look at cod's 'do you like other people's children thread)

It sounded as though u assumed it the way you put about the racism test.
I was standing up for Penny Lane as i know her persionally and know she is a teriffic nanny. All kinds of things were getting thrown around about her and i didnt agree. I believe you need to know a person before you can judge them.
it just like you were having a dig about racism to me persionally.
you've had a baby???

she had one yesterday!

her second .....

Mud, you don't have to sell the "hard job" factor to us . We all know what's involved in caring for children. It's not that hard, and some of the nannies on here are bleating about looking after one school-age child. How underwhelming.

yeah it's started again, yippee. Who's gonna insult who first??

My intention in starting this thread was not to disparage nannies. And I have not done so. My thread was about market rates and cheaper "Euronannies" pushing the rate down.

However, I have to say I was shocked at Penny Lane's comments. A good nanny she may be, but I would not want someone who held views like she does near me or my children. And I am probably not British enough for her and couldn't pay her enough, either.

I have been working all the hours and havent had the chance to reply until now.
Congrats on the baby.

Ok here is a few reasons why we are better than a non British nanny (noticed I was P.C there ;))

1. As a British nanny I know the surrounding county?s like the back of my hand, so can go anywhere and know how to get there and back!
2. I have a British driving licence and I am a confident driver, not sure I would trust someone who drives on the right side of the road in their country to be driving my little ones around, besides I have been to a lot of European countries and our drivers look like experts in comparison. 3. How will a European nanny/aupair who barely speaks English herself, help a young child to speak, what if that child (like in one of my positions) has a speech impediment? Also will they know when to correct words/grammar?
3. When they are used to a different education system would they be able to help there charge with homework? Thought about this as I was helping my charge with his Maths and Reading today.
4. Lastly, a British nanny is more likely to stay in a position as they don't have a visa problem, and are usual local so are settled with family and friends. And not likely to get homesick.

Your'll probably pull every reason apart for the sake of it and frankly I don't care because I know I am appreciated in my job and every other job I have had in my 10 years childcare expierence.

I was half offended but then half laughing at the your racist thread when clearly my post had either been read and taken in the wrong text or nobody here knows the meaning of the word. Thanks Stuart for explaining.
When I talk about British nannies they can be any race can?t they? I don?t want to get into that further as that is a political debate and this thread is not about politics.

And Ameriscot2005 stop stiring, because I have never moaned about my current position 'with my one school aged child' you have no idea what I do all day, I have been at work since 7am and haven't stopped all day and just got home an hour ago. My charge is happy, has been entertained but yes the dishwasher was loaded and unloaded, I did half a pile of ironing and a grocery shop thank you.(not to mention the rest) I don't even know what time neighbours is on haven't watched that since I was about 15. But I love my job.