Minimum Wage Probe

Minimum Wage Probe

by: NurseryInsurance - 03-07-06 15:55

I was interested to read on the BBC website today that HM Revenue and Customs had discovered 'widespread evidence' within the childcare sector of staff not being paid minimum wage.

As someone not directly in the childcare sector I wondered what you thought of these findings?

Do you think parents would object to higher costs if it meant you could afford more training or more experience staff (which of course cost more)?

As I've mentioned previously my experience of Nurseries is that you do a great job so I wondered why the Government had seemingly targetted you.

by: edwards7

I feel nursery nurses and assistants should be paid more, in line with teachers. At my nursery we have staff on the min wage, we all work really hard and long hours. Senior nursery nurses, room leaders, deputies and managers should be paid more. Teachers get really good wages compared to us. I know the children are a lot younger but we work just as hard with them, and the paper work we now have to do is incresing so much.We have just increased our fees in order for the staff to get pay rises.

Minimum Wage Probe - 04-07-06 22:15

by: space

Edwards 7 I know why teachers get paid more than nusrery nurses, if you write reports in the same way you have written your comment on this website why need I say anymore? (Spelling)

Minimum Wage Probe - 05-07-06 14:08

by: edwards7

I know many teachers who cant spell, did you want replies to your question or not, if you give that kind of answer i'm suprised you get any replies. I'm dammed good at my job as a deputy and so are the girls i work with, some are dyslexic but that doesn't make them a rubbish nursery nurse.

Minimum Wage Probe - 05-07-06 16:38

by: space

I was'nt saying that you dont deserve extra money and Sorry I was'nt emplying that your staff and yourself are rubbish at your job. Everyone in childcare works hard and long hours. What I was saying is that if you are going to make spelling mistakes and you are educating children what sort of English skills are the children going to grow up with. As nursery nurses we should be setting a good example and teaching children good English.

Minimum Wage Probe - 05-07-06 22:27

by: edwards7

ok thanx, but im incharge of the baby unit and they cant read or write, sorry i got on my high horse.

Minimum Wage Probe - 07-07-06 17:12

by: milanocentro

Sorry 'space', but I just have to say that you also made spelling mistakes! You spelt wasn't incorrectly and implying. I think when people write on this forum they just make typos.

Minimum Wage Probe - 07-07-06 19:42

by: space

I know I made a mistake just checking to see if you are all awake!

Minimum Wage Probe - 20-07-06 13:36

by: Flowerpower

Dear Nursery Insurance,
I have to say that I think that a lot of staff who are perhaps just doing their training and therefore not in the qualified bracket are not always being paid the minimum wage. Trainees who are undergoing an VQ work based qualification are only paid an allowance but work but some work harder than the qualified staff in some nurseries. This allowance can start from £55.00 per week but they are only really allowed to be paid that for a maximum of a year. The age group is generally 16 - 18 year olds and because of the lack of information given to them some employers exploit this and pay them this until the end of their training which can last 2 years in some cases! Then inevitably they are let go to make way for new candidates or in some cases cheap labour!

Minimum Wage Probe - 20-07-06 14:36

by: NurseryInsurance

Thanks for your comments Flowerpower

So do you think the fact that this has now been highlighted will put enough pressure on employers who exploit this?

Minimum Wage Probe - 20-07-06 20:37

by: newsetting

I think many employers exploit this. People need to be made aware that there is are different levels of minimum wage. My trainees receive £4.85 per hour (I think the minimum wage is £4.25 for the development rate applicable to students 18-21yrs in bona fide training) In actual fact, 16-17 yr olds can be paid £3 per hour as a "Development rate" I think this is absolutely disgusting and any nursery paying this should be totally ashamed of themselves. I cannot imagine ANYONE working to their full potential if they are only being paid £3 per hour. I would hope that the recent press has made nurseries review their staff pay. It benefits the nursery in the long run! According to my senior staff members, my nursery pays the best rates of pay in the area. This means that local nursery nurses want to get a job with us, and as such, we recruit the best and most dedicated staff. In turn, our nursery has by far the best reputation in the area and that is of course, my ultimate goal.