LONDON, England (AFP) - A nanny looking after children in a central London family home earns on average more than a newly-trained nurse or teacher, a study disclosed last Monday.

The survey, published in the magazine Nursery World, found that the average salary of a central London nanny who did not live with the family, but came each day to take care of the children, was £28,000 pounds (US $49,000, euro40,700) a year.

Some earned up to £40,000 (US$70,000, euro58,000) a year.

By contrast, a newly trained nurse is paid on average £18,000 (US $31,000, euro26,000) and teachers starting on their careers, £24,000 (US $45,000, euro34,800).

If the nanny lives with the family, receiving accommodation and food, she earns an average of £21,500 (US$42,000, euro31,250) a year, or 7.5 per cent more than in 2004, according to the survey, conducted by the British agency Nannytax which recruits and finds jobs for nannies.
Outside London the salary of a live-in nanny can reach £16,910 (US$29,670, euro24,500) up seven per cent on 2004.

The survey detects a shift from the traditional Australian, South African or New Zealand nannies, who only get a 12 month work permit, to girls from the 10 new member states of the European Union.

"Despite the rise of salaries, having a nanny is still the preferred choice for many families as it is a flexible option and cost-effective, particularly for those with several children," said Asa Nilsdotter of Nannytax.

"Nannies are seeing themselves more and more as professionals. In September 2004, we petitioned Downing Street (home of British Prime Minister Tony Blair) to regard nannies as professionals."

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