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...

First and foremost being a 'parent' is my job, all that boring other stuff, which also needs doing comes second. I would expect the same of someone I was employing to take care of my children.

Mr BigD qualified nannies have two years training with loads of practical experience unlike au pairs

MR Big D, for someone who has such a poor opinion of nannies why don't you stay at home and look after your kids?

Yes, thank you, Ameriscot, that's precisely what I was driving at.

You go, Mr BigD - go run for cover, that is!!

And doesn't a bus/train driver have to keep people safe every day?

I guess what I was driving at is that with many forms of childcare (childminders, nurseries) you don't expect any housework to be thrown in, and I for one have chosen a nanny because of what she gives to the children, not the fact that she could also run my household and do my chores. I actually don't want her to do my housework (though pleased that she has done so when there has been nothing else to do).

Will I become one of the mothers Tanzie refers to who wants a nanny/housekeeper combined? - possibly in a few years, but right now I want someone to be 100% engaged with my kids - not the 50% or so that I'm usually able to be with them.

Does this person have to be English - not necessarily I guess, but they always have been. And yes some combination of qualification or experience is necessary. I'm not sure that I would put someone lacking either in charge of my children.

Tartan tablets!!!!! You are so racist, how dare you even attempt to insult me evn futher, after slandering my chosen career!!

Mr BigD I am infact not a labour supporter, because Tony Blair is to blame for all the imigrants coming in and taking not just nanny jobs but everyones jobs.
I would love to go to Australia to work but if I did I couldn't go as a nanny as it is not a job in need there. If I didn't speak English I wouldn't even get a visa. I think while there are plenty of English nannies needing jobs they shouldn't go to foreigners.
Most childcare qualifications are min 2 years, a good nany does update them, our first aid has to be updated every 3 years anyway.

oh boy, I really shouldn't stay logged in when dh is around!

But in his defense... he has not got a low opinion of nannies, just british/english ones.

Also if he stayed at home with the kids there wouldn't be any money to feed them! and probably would drive me potty

I think some of you mums have NO idea!!! You seem to think Nannies are just on an 'easy' ride! I for one am not on a easy ride, but Im not complaining either!

I work as a FT nanny for four children, ensuring their needs are met a 110% this not only includes their personal needs, but also their social, educational and physical needs!

I earn a reasonable salery, which Im not in anyway moaning about, but feel working 7 - 7 five days a week I deserve!

I chose this as a career, but when I started out I also wanted to be a nanny who card for the children because their parent/s had a job which required them to need that form of childcare!

I look as my role as the cement in the cracks of the family. I ensure although 'mum' organises the family from a - c that they just dont miss out point b on route!

I also feel my charges benefit from time with me, as sometimes SAHM's dont get 'chance' to spend quality time with their children due to 'jobs' etc... before long that day turns in to a few days on not spending 'quality time', but I can say that each of my four charges has quality time with an adult who cares with them at LEAST twice aday. Can you???

I would say kids are more prone to accidents than buses, these are your pride and joy for gods sake, how can you undervalue those who take care of them. If they are rubbish then what the hell are you doing letting them look after your kids in the first place.

where does his low opinion come from? personal experience or tv?

Im sorry but that is totally discusting and 'babyish' yes 'babyish' to slate where someone is from (tartan tablets) You should be ashamed. Maybe an apology is in order here Ameriscot2005

Eeeeeee! I think if someone could drive a bus in Poland, they could drive one in UK, provided someone showed them the route! I've never met a native English speaking bus driver in Sarf Landan anyway, most of them seem to have gained their experience in the Awolowo Road or at Obalende.

What I was driving at (after a bottle of Chardonnay) was that EXPERIENCE counts for as much as, if not more than a piece of paper from Norland or Chiltern.

Ellenj don't be so insulting, I spend quality time with all five of my children every day. That is why I satyed at home, my kids come first, other stuff second.

I agree with Lisa your well out of order with that comment!Ameriscot2005

omega - personal experience when we were interviewing when I wanted to go back to work after dd and also friends of his who had bad luck with british nannies.

Ellienj - Don't think nannies have an easy ride at all! As I said earlier, I admire people who choose to look after children!

Have to counter you though on quality time: I give my kids quality time at least twice a day! then again the place does look like a tip! That's why I wouldn't mind if the nanny would help a little, not expecting that she does 'full mummy's chores' at all.

Well Im sorry, but I have taken it personaly!
And before any asks, no we are most definatly NOT the same person.

yes Tanzie expierence does count definatley, but that's often what au pairs don't have, as said before because they are coming to have fun and see a new country not because they adore your little darlings.

MrsbigD fair enough if your experience was bad there are a few bad nannies that give us all a bad name but equally media coverage doesn't help at all