Why Omsk's Young Women Are Choosing Nannying Despite Low Pay

In Omsk, young women like Polina Kirilenko and Ksenia Baronchan have turned to nannying for different reasons—some practical, others personal. While wages remain lower than in Moscow or Saint Petersburg, the job offers both challenges and emotional rewards. For these two, the experience has shaped their careers in unexpected ways.

Polina Kirilenko, now 20, began nannying to earn pocket money and save for her own rental flat. Her role quickly expanded from simply keeping a first-grader company to full-time care, including homework help and waiting until the parents returned. However, the constant travel and unpredictable behaviour of children eventually wore her down. After weighing the pros and cons, she switched to tutoring instead.

Ksenia Baronchan, 21, has spent the last two years looking after seven-year-old Katya while studying child psychology. She first connected with families through word of mouth, as parents in Omsk often prefer trusted recommendations over formal agencies. Her natural ability with children stems from years of caring for her younger sisters at home. The biggest challenge, she admits, is the constant worry for the child's safety and well-being. Despite the stress, Ksenia finds the emotional payoff worth it. When she started with Katya, the girl struggled with basic reading and writing. Now, Katya reads fluently and has made clear progress. Both Ksenia and Polina agree on one key lesson: forcing friendship with a child never works. Letting the child adjust at their own pace builds trust far more effectively. Wages in Omsk reflect the region's lower cost of living. Babysitters here earn between 300 and 500 rubles per hour, compared to 800–1,200 rubles in Moscow. Though pay has risen slightly with inflation, the gap between regional cities and major metropolises remains wide.

For Polina, the demands of nannying led to a career change, while Ksenia continues to balance work with her psychology studies. Their experiences highlight both the financial realities and personal fulfilment that come with childcare in Omsk. The job's rewards, they say, often go beyond the hourly rate.