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Paid childcare

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

Original poster

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:
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Ameriscot2005 · 10/04/2005 22:53

Didn't Astonished? Forgive me, then.

Ameriscot2005 · 10/04/2005 22:55

Nutritional....tum-te-tum-te-tum-te-tummmm

astonished · 10/04/2005 22:56

I'm sure there are some that are certainly not all, by along stretch!! After all there are bad parents out there employers of nannies or not!!

omega2 · 10/04/2005 22:57

so you always feed your children nutritional meals and they never watch tv

astonished · 10/04/2005 22:57

I'm quite precious of my non status as a SAHM, really I don not have a status, don't even qualify for a Top Shop card!

omega2 · 10/04/2005 22:58

good for you astonished i admire you why shouldn't you stay at home

ScotsNanny · 10/04/2005 22:58

I dont think some people realise that what we do is a very scary job!! We HAVE to keep children ALIVE AND SAFE!!! That is what our responabilty come right down to for both parents and carers!!

lockets · 10/04/2005 22:59

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ladymuck · 10/04/2005 23:00

Well, FWIF, I have to say the the lady who nannies for me is marvellous. Within my circle she is uniformly known as "Mary Poppins" (she only does short bookings, as she has been nannying for over 30 years, and in these last years just wants some variety). My sons eagerly await her visits, and whilst she has never balked at any task asked of her (and has even got on with my ironing - without being asked - when both boys are asleep), I must admit I try to keep her time free for my boys. She is wonderful at all the art and craft stuff that I hate, and loves building imaginary worlds with them - I tend to wander off after a few minutes and get on with the next chore. She manages to execute all the sorts of activities that I feel guilty for not doing (eg I hate getting the paints out!). She has had such a wonderful impact on the children that I would probably go out to work full-time if I thought I could hire her. She is worth every penny.

I'd have to look at her references again, but I'm pretty sure she is an NNEB, but her unique selling point is the way in which she can get into my children's world. When she first came for interview ds1 was about to turn 2. After spending 15 minutes with her, he wanted to know when he was next going to see her (and he still pesters me 2 years later!). Usually I would agree that flexibility is key, but I have actually deliberately planned and done some preparation for my kids meals for when she is here tomorrow as I don't want her to have to spend any time doing that.

I must admit that the basic qualification doesn't impress me that much, but decent experience (and references) do. I also think that nannies who are mothers themselves often have a more reasonable approach to the job. Of course it is harder to ensure that they also get some family life balance as well.

I'm glad that we have such a variety of childcare available to us, from the EU au pair (whom I'm sure will be a lifesaver in a few yeasr from now when my children are older and at school), through to nannies, child minders and nurseries. I certainly appreciate this aspect of being London-based. Some of my friends elsewhere seem to have far fewer choices (especially part-time).

Ameriscot2005 · 10/04/2005 23:00

Well, keep taking the tartan tablets, Scotsnanny.

astonished · 10/04/2005 23:00

Really not worthy of admiration, honest!!Been a SAHM now for a few years really seriously considering getting a job, being a SAHM can be a thankless task some days!!- and fabulous other days

morocco · 10/04/2005 23:01

if anyone has worked hard to get a qualification with any kind of kudos it stands to reason they're going to be proud of it - my qualifications mean I expect more money in my job - up to the individual if they want to pay it or not though.
I know loads of people in different jobs who are losing out to E European workers and I guess this is another example - but my guess is pretty soon the Poles etc will wise up and start asking the going rate and doing less for it.
If I were looking for a nanny I agree though Tanzie that I would prefer someone from Central:Eastern Europe as they are a hardworking lot ime

Original poster
Tanzie · 10/04/2005 23:01

And presumably a bus driver has to keep people (including children) alive and safe as well?

OP posts:
astonished · 10/04/2005 23:02

Tanzie that is a very porr analogy

ScotsNanny · 10/04/2005 23:02

Yes, I believe in healhty food, like most of us do!! My employer of 3 years nearly died of shock the other when I told her I had let the oldest one have sweeties!! She wasnt mad, just stunned that I finally did it!!

I do not like "my" kids eating rubbish.

astonished · 10/04/2005 23:03

Children can be very testing and being a mum is the hardest job in the world. Surely we have to give nannies credit for effectively doing the parents job in their absence.

lockets · 10/04/2005 23:04

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Ameriscot2005 · 10/04/2005 23:04

Your nanny sounds like my last au pair, Lady Muck. It's not all down to qualifications, experience and titles - it down to individual attributes, which are things that are irrespective of age and national origin.

In case anyone is confused, my main point here is to debunk any myth that an English nanny is something unique in the world of childcare. It's not to suggest that they don't have a valuable role to play.

omega2 · 10/04/2005 23:05

sorry it was in reply to ameriscott or whatever her name is. someone replied in between so got a bit confusing

Original poster
Tanzie · 10/04/2005 23:05

Really? Why? Bus and train drivers earn more than teachers (tube drivers on about 30K if my memory serves me right). I am not trying to be contraversial here.

OP posts:
Ameriscot2005 · 10/04/2005 23:07

I thought the whole gist of this thread, Astonished, was that English nannies don't willingly do the full mum's jobs in their absence, and that this role is better approximated by a Euro nanny.

astonished · 10/04/2005 23:09

Just could not compare the responsibilty of someone looking after my kids all day every day , with a bus driver.

omega2 · 10/04/2005 23:09

read the job description of a nanny it is not the same as a mummy

MrsBigD · 10/04/2005 23:09

Mr BigD here, husband of MrsBigD, so don't blame her for these comments!

Gotta say straight up I'll take a foreign Nanny anyday! I've come across these English Nannies in the past and lazy would be an understatement and snobby, well we won't even go there! As a rule I've found foreign nannies are more informed, are more interested in people and life in general and really great for the kids.

As for 'coming over here and taking our jobs' though. You're a Labour Supporter aren't you?!? Probably not happy we're a member of the EU at all either and enjoying the benefits of cheap foreign labour down the supermarket, public transport etc. You really make me laugh!

I'm curious what and how long the training is that these supposedly 'good english nannies' get? One years training I'm sorry counts for squat in my books. I'm constantly learning and having to upgrade my skills and qualification, any and every professional should! But these people that come out of their nanny school and expect top dollar and half the time would have a problem rubbing two sticks together to create 'fire' and they're supposed to look after my little ones. Haven't come across one I'd touch with a barge pole. And as for the professional nanny services, I'm sorry but these are a complete farce!

If I hire a nanny I expect to get my monies worth. I don't screw them on wages etc but I would expect some common courtesy on both our behalf, afterall I'm the employer and the nanny the employee, theres always some give and take. I try not to be late and generally am actually early in which case the Nanny makes anyway and that happens most of the time. Great to have the nanny there etc but its also great to have the house back to 'the family' at the end of the day as well. I like time with my kids so need and wish to make the most of it.

I'll leave it at that. Remember, this is Mr BigD and not MrsBigD!

PennyLane79 · 10/04/2005 23:09

Ok Tanzie busses it is, would you prefer a bus driver who had never driven a bus before (seen one around town though :P), didn't speak very good english so couldn't understand your destination and even if he did probably would get lost getting you there. Or would you prefer someone who had trainingg and expierence driving a bus, was efficiant in his job and got you to your destination fast but safely?