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...

Why Beetroot??? Am I not aloud an opinion??

fast moving stuff!
it isn't racist to object to the fact that the right to work in the UK has been extended massively - and if you can see your job under threat I can see that it might make people a bit narky

Penny Lane - it's racist. I see you are only considering employment in English speaking countries such as the US and Australia. Perhaps you should have a go at learning Polish and going to work there. Or Germany, or any other EU country.

Right.

Any nanny who thinks that being a child's nanny is better than being it's mother?

Anyone?

Because all of us here are either nannies or mothers. We both do a bloody hard job.

why shouldn't penny lane choose which country she wants to work in?

I'd also say that the UK's economy is booming, whereas those countries which have not allowed new EU members to work there are not in such a healthy state.

Shall we start a proud European thread, then, Beety?

Well I dont see the problem! Maybe you should try to explain it calmly, beetroot. Can you do this?

Yes, why shouldn't Penny Lane choose what country she wants to work in? But by her own admission, those that she chooses won't allow her to work in her profession...

Good point Lockets.

Why would I go to Poland or anywhere else I dont speak the language and I probably wouldn't find a job there as a nanny. Hence they are coming here. But we are small country and I think we need to help the people already in it, paying taxes and contributing before we help the others.
I am refering to America, Canada and Australia because I believe those countries have got it straight, they only let people into the country who will not take an a,c,or oz's job and will contribute to the country in a way. We need to be more like that.

Penny Lane, are you saying that nannies who are not Anglo Saxon with a cut glass accent don't contribute? Why are you so xenophobic?

Welll said Penny, Our country DOES have it wrong with regards to 'leting' others into 'our' country!

Penny, i agree with you!!
And i know your not racist... you wouldent be allowed to work with kids if you were

You'd find a job there, Penny Lsne - if you didn't mind working for GBP 200 per month.

Oh how parochial "they don't speak English..."

Since when has English been the official language of any of the new EU countries? You get off your arse and learn a language, then you look for a job in the country.

Actually if there was one bad nanny to every 3 or 4 bad mothers, that would be a hell of a lot of bad nannies, cos there is nowhere near as many nannies in this country as there is mothers!

Oh no, another Xenophobe. I'm off to bed.