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Paid childcare

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

Nannies: market rates (bit controversial)

878 replies

Tanzie · 10/04/2005 19:35

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...

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
JoolsToo · 13/04/2005 09:51

please don't start going on about how difficult a mods job is [rolls eyes]

lou33 · 13/04/2005 09:58

lashes jools across the buttock

uwila · 13/04/2005 09:58

Blimey, all the good stuff happens while I sleep. Have now finally caught up. And I have only a couple of things to say (on this post):

AlisonA - As an owner of an agency, you really should know that there is no law requiring nannies to be paid in net. The applicable law (which incidentally applies to all employees) is that the employer is responsible for deducting the taxes due from the employees paycheque and send them off to the Inland Revenue. No other profession that I know of (well, okay maybe one) quotes their pay in net.

Oh Lockets.... so sorry. Didn't congratulate you. How is the new addition? How are you? You seem to have come home very quickly so I guess that means you are doing well.

uwila · 13/04/2005 09:59

I thought I knew all the acronyms around her, but what is a mod?

lou33 · 13/04/2005 10:01

moderator

uwila · 13/04/2005 10:02

Duh... I knew I was going to look stupid for asking that.

JoolsToo · 13/04/2005 10:04

in my youth - I was a mod and it meant a really groovy and hip - scooters loaded with mirrors, parkas, cropped hair and soul music - aaaaaaaaah!

lou33 · 13/04/2005 10:05
marthamoo · 13/04/2005 10:07

It's taken me two days to read this thread.

Mods have the easiest job - they just do the swishing and the fingering, don't unload the dishwasher...let's all gang up on mods...

Go Mums! Go Nannies! Fight! Fight! Fight!

JoolsToo · 13/04/2005 10:08

I'll have you know I used to get called Twiggy! [sniff]

JoolsToo · 13/04/2005 10:09

moo! mods are like your mum

(lot of m's there!)

Gobbledigook · 13/04/2005 10:09

What in God's name is a 'lazy day' if you are a SAHM!? I've certainly never had one!

Have naps when the children nap? Eh? Just when do you think I've got a 4 yr old, 2 yr old and 7 month old napping at the same time???

Sit in front of the TV while I get on with chores - you must be bloody joking - with 3 boys???

Don't get me wrong - I wouldn't swap my jobs for the world but don't anyone get any daft ideas about having 'lazy days' - ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Gobbledigook · 13/04/2005 10:09

AND I don't have a dishwasher

lou33 · 13/04/2005 10:10

why jools, cos you were brown, bobbly and sticky?

Beetroot · 13/04/2005 10:10

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JoolsToo · 13/04/2005 10:11

probably

uwila · 13/04/2005 10:14

Oh oh. Thank you Gobble. You just reminded me of something else that struck me earlier. Regarding the SAHMs, someone said that they can choose to do what they want with the day, and that nannies must do what the parents want. Was that a joke. SAHM do what the kids want (or what is good for the kids). They don't do what THEY want. That's rediculous. I'm a workaholic and even I know that.

uwila · 13/04/2005 10:15

BTW, I'm having a lazy day at work.

But, I actually hate it. I'd go crazy from lack of brain stimulation if it weren't for mumsnet.

Gobbledigook · 13/04/2005 10:16

That's right Uwila - if I got to do what I wanted the kids would watch The Lion King from start to finish while I soaked in a bubble bath with a glass of chilled white wine!! Let me tell you, it ain't happening!!

And you absolutely cannot shop with 3 little boys either so I never go into town or anything and I do all my shopping online to avoid supermarket fiascos!!!

lou33 · 13/04/2005 10:16

have to be both beety, always

Beetroot · 13/04/2005 10:17

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Beetroot · 13/04/2005 10:17

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lou33 · 13/04/2005 10:18

of course, you trained me well

Gobbledigook · 13/04/2005 10:19

Oh Beety, I'll give it a whirl tomorrow! Guffaw!

uwila · 13/04/2005 10:19

Oh, I can't wait to stay home on maternity leave for 12 whole weeks with a toddler and newborn when I can do these things too. I've specially ordered a nice baby who changes his own nappy, too.

Incidentally, Nannyjo, how maternity leave were you able to afford (financially)?