Nursery World - Enough to live on

I was sad to read the 'In my view' column 'More money for Barbie Bill', suggesting that men should be paid 1,000 more than women to persuade them to follow a career in childcare. Whatever happened to the idea of not discriminating against women? Also, shouldn't all nursery staff be paid a living wage?

Whatever happened to the idea of not discriminating against women? Also, shouldn't all nursery staff be paid a living wage?

I have been working in a nursery for ten years doing a job which is demanding, satisfying, hard work and fun. But I can only stay working in nursery care because I have a husband to support me.

Over the ten years I have worked in the nursery I have seen many single women leaving childcare, as they stand no chance of owning their own home and supporting themselves on nursery wages. I think that all who work in childcare should be paid a realistic wage - after all, we are doing the job of caring for the most precious things in the world, children.

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