After more than two years of trying to buy a property, I bought a flat in Folkestone near my family and decided to look for a job nearer home.
However, I have found that if I was to work with children in a nursery I would be unable to afford to pay my mortgage because the wages are so poor.
So here I am, caught between commuting for up to three hours door to door or taking a poorly-paid job locally that has fewer holidays and would leave me struggling financially. Eventually I will probably have to give up nursery nursing altogether just to be able to afford to live in my own home.
Surely it is time for the early years sector to increase nursery nurses'
pay and improve conditions before we all have to find alternative work? I love my job and want to continue in this profession, but unless things improve to a liveable standard this is likely to be impossible.
The responsibility of caring for children should be valued much more than it is. I know that lots of people in this profession feel disheartened, so isn't it time somebody took the lead and improved things before it is too late?
Most nursery nurses are very dedicated to their job and the children they care for, but this does not pay the mortgage and bills or buy food.
I would like to know how other nursery nurses who have been in a similar situation managed, because I want to be able to continue to care for the babies who are our nation's future.
Louise Richards Folkestone, Kent
