Nursery World - Nursery salaries still too low, says survey

Most staff in day nurseries in England believe they should be paid more for the work they do, a survey by Tinies Childcare has found. According to the survey of 100 day nurseries across England carried out in the past two months, 86 per cent of nursery staff said they felt their salaries to be either 'poor or too low'. Only 13 per cent regarded what they are earning as 'fair'.

According to the survey of 100 day nurseries across England carried out in the past two months, 86 per cent of nursery staff said they felt their salaries to be either 'poor or too low'. Only 13 per cent regarded what they are earning as 'fair'.

The survey found that nursery managers now earn around 19,200 a year, up 8 per cent from 17,785 in 2001-02, while assistant managers earn just under 15,000 - a 6 per cent rise on just over 14,000 the year before. Team leaders are on salaries of about 13,100, up 5 per cent on around 12,500 in 2001-02. Qualified nursery nurses are earning just over 11,600 compared to just under 10,900 the year before - up 7 per cent, and unqualified nursery assistants are on 10,080, up 8 per cent from 9,335. The average overall year-on-year salary increase was 6.8 per cent - almost double the rate of inflation.

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