I have just seen this post and even though I know it has passed, I feel the need to say something! New Mother your attitude towards us 'employees' is disgusting. If that is how you view your nannies or help, then i doubt very much one will stay with you for very long!! It will have nothing to do with them leaving for money or because of your child, but because of your clear disregard for the job that they do! I am lucky enough to work in a Nanny share for two amazing families who I love and I hope that they see me as more than the employee! I have worked for other families and I know that I am considered one of the family, and to me this means more than anything else!! Your children are meant to be the most important thing in your life and the person you leave them with is taking your place in teaching them about manners, safety, interaction, learning and is basically helping turn them into the people they become!!!! The reason we are paid higher than in a nursery is because of the one on one care that we offer and the hours that we do! We work longer hours than most of the parents we work for and alot of the time, without a break. We dont do this job because we cant do anything else, but because we chose to and like any job, pay rises are part of the package! As for the playgroups - of course parents need to pay for them! Its for your childs benefit not ours! Get a grip Parents. You're not better than us because of your law/doctor/accountancy/managerial/journalism degree - we just have different priorities! Billy - sorry to have gate crashed your thread. You obviously respect your Nanny and the work that she does - good for you and I hope you work it all out soon:))