The nanny's state
Sir: I am married to a career nanny. I was once a steady boyfriend but never a nanny- snatcher as mentioned by Leanda de Lisle (Country life, 31 August).
Mrs de Lisle paints a none too rosy pic- ture of the average nanny, indeed nannies have taken a rather silly bashing over the past year or two by the television and press, especially over this business of motor-cars (BMWs) and perks in general.
My wife works very hard for her employ- ers: a 60-hour week, with sole responsibility for the safety and care of two children. For this she takes home £1,000 net per month. She has the use of a motor-car outside working hours, and a mobile telephone. She is also required to accompany the fami- ly on its annual skiing holiday. Contrary to what you all may believe, I think this is the
bare minimum for the job. Her employers are charming people, albeit middle-class and hard-working, but it must not be for- gotten that the wealth of people like this can only be realised with the likes of my wife. I know the value of people like my wife, and luckily my wife's employers know the value of her to them.
Mrs de Lisle must count herself lucky to be able to keep a nanny, or does she place a purely material value on outstanding child care?
Michael Wingert
21 Kilnwood, Walters Ash, Bucks
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