Leading Article

This month sees the news we've all been waiting for, and it's good - nannies' earnings continue to rise. Let's hope that this year nobody who isn't a nanny expresses shock at the news, as if home childcare isn't a responsible job that deserves a decent wage. Stephen Vahrman's analysis of the situation in our annual pay survey on page 6, however, also reveals the changing face of nannying today. As he shows, there is an even greater demand to fill part-time positions, changeable hours and nannyshares. So flexibility is the key to the future. Fortunately, flexibility and diversity are what nannies and childcarers offer in abundance. In our other features this month we hear from people who overturn the conventional images - men, older nannies, health workers - and they are the people making childcare a more interesting and more viable field to work in than ever. While it may seem that the only other time the public takes any interest is when 'nannies from hell' stories appear (see page 4), these unsung heroes just get on with the job of being caring and conscientious professionals.