Nursery worker

[Busylady1234]

I work in a well known nursery and I love my job. I feel sad that I’m even considering leaving because pay is so less. I feel that nursery workers are unappreciated and undervalued and underpaid. My parents at my nursery are lovely however when I read things online I feel sad. I am looking for a new job as of today because it doesn’t pay well for what I’m doing. I feel sad that I feel this way but I have bills to pay. I love my children and they love me and I feel it took a while for them to bond with me. I have read a lot of negative things online about what people think of nursery workers. I changed careers from being an estate agent to a nursery practitioner. I took a pay cut to do what I love but financially it’s impossible.

why is it that it’s seen as a lowly job when we love, bond and keep safe other people’s children?
why is they pay soo bad?

childcare is so hard to find. No one want to do it anymore and I understand why. Nurseries would rather pay a lot more for agency staff rather than pay their permanent staff well. Anyway I needed a moan. Thanks for reading this far.

So sorry you feel under appreciated! I absolutely loved the nursery my DD attended and the staff were amazing and they left for the same reasons. Seems unfair agency staff getting more pay than you too. You have to put yourself first and I completely agree that nursery staff should be paid so much more. Wish you all the luck for the future and it’s a shame government and everyone else don’t appreciate your worth! Your are effectively teachers after all!

What about being a childminder?

You sound like such. Lovely person and I am sorry it’s come to this.

also sorry you have read horrible things online but honestly I have never heard bad things (unless deserved) it’s usually just how wonderful staff are to our kids.

it’s a shame but I agree you are underpaid but please know never undervalued by us, the parents.

why is they pay soo bad?

Partly because parents can’t afford, generally, to pay people a decent full time wage from their own wage.

Wealthy, or very high earning, people can afford that which is why they often have nannies or use high-end nurseries that pay and charge a lot.

Even paying a share of the nursery staff salaries plus the bills is tough for most people.

I completely understand and agree. I left early years last year, after working in nurseries for 20 years. I loved my job. Its so frustrating that the work with children's development isn't taken seriously by government. I'm now re-training as a therapist.

I was with you up until Nurseries would rather pay a lot more for agency staff rather than pay their permanent staff well.

Of course they wouldn't. Round here, Nurseries are desperate for staff, and would far rather have their own, permanent staff.

The issue the Nurseries have is balancing the books.
Out of their (net) pay, many families struggle to afford Nurseries fees. There isn't really the scope for the owners to put up the fees. But their costs are massive - premises and all that entails, staff (not just what goes into your bank account, but things like pension and National Insurance), utilities, insurance. Staff have to have training. Food. Someone to cook the food. Cleaners. Equipment. Resources.
Then the Government tries to attract votes by offering parents "free childcare" but of course it isn't free. The Government then pays the Nurseries less than they need to provide each place. then the Gvmnt don't provide enough money to support the children with additional needs - some SEND, some medical, some just not socialised, and some from all sorts of deprived backgrounds. There is no funding to release staff to go to Child protection meetings, meetings with any support agencies, or to complete referrals etc.

The Gvmnt probably thinks childcare is just a bit of playing, and won't have looked at any of the research tht shows the importance of those first 5 years.