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...

Penny Lane - "all the immigrants coming in and taking everyone's jobs"?? How racist is that?

I am of central European descent myself and my grandparents fled the Nazis, more relatives came over in 1956 and 1968. Shame on you - that is what the EU is all about - freedom of movement. Surely these people should be applauded for coming to UK to learn another language more fluently - let's face it most of them have a modicum of English before they get there - and build on their experience?

And it goes back to what I said in my original post - market rate. If a British nanny is something special, she should certainly be able to get a good job. If not, take a lower wage or retrain.

I think some of you may have missed ELLIENJs point!! I belive what she was saying is that SAHMs have other obligations to fill also, and therefor can not always be doing things with the children ALL the time.

so us nannies can't have opinions now either

yes but she specified 'quality time at least twice a day'...

I'm off to bed now, this is way to addictive

Penny Lane - read my original post please- I said, "NOT paying an au pair's pocket money for what is essentially a nanny's job." I am not confusing a nanny with an au pair. I don't agree with slave labour (as I have said before). I do employ a Central European and I do pay her the going rate for here (which is most definitely not 25K - most GPs here only earn about 30K).

calm down calm down ;) you know its not good for the children to get SSSSO stressed!

As for bad nannies, I bet if it was statically work out, there would be one bad nanny - to three or four bad mothers!

yes but bad mothers don't sell papers

It's not rascist Tanzie it's common sense if people from other countries come here and take British peoples jobs then what will we do? It's not as easy to go to any other country and get a job over there! I tried getting a job in U.S It's impossible as a nanny. You have to have a specialised job to get a visa there.

Oh good lord!

Of course bad mothers sell papers, MHBP was practically invented by the Daily Mail!

Didnt say it was a FACT beetroot! said I think ......

I agree, Beety. I am still absolutely boiling with rage at Penny lane's post on immigrants. She makes me ashamed to be British (just - British - )

I lived in Eastern Europe under communism (but through choice, not necessity). And if you have ever had to queue for toilet paper it makes you realise what these countries have been through and just how far they have come.

I'm proud to be a European.

I personally reported a mother to the police and socail services for beating her 7 month old daughter.

hey its a discussion not fact and fiction