Nannies hit by financial crisis

SHANGHAI: With the financial crisis' heightening sense of menace, many are reconsidering what they can and can't afford - and employing a nanny at 30,000 yuan ($4,280) a year is falling into the latter category.

With a demanding job working for a multinational company, 27-year-old Ding Ting must now come home from the office and cook, care and clean for her children after being forced to let her nanny go.

"It's a difficult time - every bit counts. After all, it's not a small amount for employing a nanny," Ding said, having relished the services of her nanny for the past two years.