Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Do all nanny employers require OFSTED registration?

37 replies

Strix · 23/07/2010 13:41

Well, obviously not all because we all know what I think of them. But, I am told by a few nannies that it is impossible to get a job through an agency without OFSTED registration.

I'm aware people like to uses their childcare vouchers. But, I'm suprised that there are not more people out there who don't care one way or the other about an OFSTED piece of paper.

I not only don't need OFSTED to tell my nanny how to do her job, ther are a few points with which I would have to step in and tell OFSTED to stick their advice where the sun don't shine (like inspections of my home).

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Original poster
Strix · 23/07/2010 14:54

The pension deduction is because your pension contributuin is worked out after your company deducts the voucher money from your salary. SO, less goes in from your income and less is matched from your company (if your company matches).

Anyway, I am clearly on the extreme end of this dislike for OFSTED registration of nannies and tying it to the ability to use childcare vouchers...

My questions was am I really the only one who doesn't require a nanny to be OFSTED registered?

OP posts:
NoSoSuperGrass · 23/07/2010 14:54

I know a lot of nanny employers and none of us have ever had our houses inspected by OFSTED.
Frankly, I think they have more serious concerns to address.

mickytoo · 23/07/2010 14:52

Go and start a petition at petitions.number10.gov.uk/

mickytoo · 23/07/2010 14:50

Wow you're really against this aren't you?

1 - well it helps the cashflow, now. I also love not paying tax.
2 - I am paying her the same as when she wasn't registered.
3 - about £200.
4 - negligible.

I have yet to entertain ofsted at my house so I guess this is almost purely a monetary benefit for me.

duplotogo · 23/07/2010 14:48

I was actually quite reassured by the OFSTED nannies we interviewed telling us they needed to put corner covers on the tables etc. even though I personally don't think they are necessary. Much better IMO than the nannies who said they'd put the baby on the sofa at naptimes.

Original poster
Strix · 23/07/2010 14:46

I wonder if our coalition government will remove the link between childcare vouchers and nanny registration. Oh, wouldn't that be nice!

Oh oh... don't they have a website somewhere asking the public to submit ideas to reduce government wasteful beaurocracy.... anyone know where that is? I should go blab on my soapbox there.

OP posts:
duplotogo · 23/07/2010 14:46

Soon childcare vouchers will be taxed anyway won't they? What's the pension deduction Strix?

Original poster
Strix · 23/07/2010 14:43

Yeah, £2400 a year...

minus...

1- the pension deduction
2- the increase in nanny's salary because he/she is "worth" more due to having this valuable sought after registration
3- the annual registration cost
4- the time off to complete the OFSTED requirements

Then OFSTED comes to your house, and after that inspection, nanny comes to you to tell you what OFSTED has told him/her what should now be part of his/her job.

I wonder how long it will be before EYFS is required of nannies who look after newborns?

Now, what have I forgotten to mention...

OP posts:
mickytoo · 23/07/2010 14:27

Isn't it all about the money? I don't give a damn about what Ofsted registration means in terms of quality of care, it's just that it saves me £2400 a year.

duplotogo · 23/07/2010 13:45

But when we were thinking seriously that a nanny would be the best route, we did do things like put a fire extinguisher and first aid kit in the kitchen. And we've bought nanny insurance (the Morton Michel policy) and first aid training for our au pair.

NoSoSuperGrass · 23/07/2010 13:45

I don't give a stuff about it TBH, other than for the tax break.
In fact, our last nanny was not registered when she came to us but we got her registered to benefit from the saving. Funnily enough registration didn't make her a better nanny.

duplotogo · 23/07/2010 13:44

I think the attractive thing about OFSTED is that you know the nanny has up-to-date first aid training and a CRB check, I thought it was a bit tricky to organise a specific CRB check otherwise?

I looked into hiring a nanny but gave up because of the cost, the extra childproofing and tidying and the nanny's holidays and potential illnesses, and have gone for nursery + au pair for school run but when I was looking at hiring a nanny there did seem to be a big difference between the CVs of experienced nannies who by and large went the OFSTED route and nannies who were ex-mother's helps and so on.

Swipe left for the next trending thread