Can't afford the job
Wednesday, May 5, 2004
I love the job I do as a nursery nurse, and the rewards I get from looking after children are unparalleled. However, in this day and age, especially with growing concerns over quality in childcare, I feel we are being neglected as a profession. This is shown in our salary scale. I am 25 and since qualifying four years ago I have not been able to afford to move out of my parents' home. This is not through choice but necessity, as it is not possible for me to commit to a mortgage and other financial responsibilities on the wage I'm earning.
However, in this day and age, especially with growing concerns over quality in childcare, I feel we are being neglected as a profession. This is shown in our salary scale. I am 25 and since qualifying four years ago I have not been able to afford to move out of my parents' home. This is not through choice but necessity, as it is not possible for me to commit to a mortgage and other financial responsibilities on the wage I'm earning.
I graduated with a degree in Childhood Studies and Professional Practice Studies and feel that I am good at my job. Surely this must be recognised and rewarded in some way.
There are increasing concerns about the quality of childcare for the under-fives, yet parents are still willing to look and pay for a good-quality service. So why do the people who provide this service still appear to be considered a lower-class professional in the general scope of education?
I feel I will never be able to improve my financial situation while I am still working in the childcare sector as a nursery nurse. I am considering whether to continue my work or completely change profession. I would rather not, but why should I, and other childcare professionals, be penalised financially for doing a job we love, when there is so much scrutiny and expectation placed on the job we do?
Heather Jordan
Potters Bar, Hertfordshire