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Paid childcare

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

ofsted-registered nannies - hard to find?

39 replies

stella1w · 08/02/2012 20:58

I could only afford a nanny if she was ofsted-registered and I could therefore claim tax credits.But I worry that the number of ofsted registered nannies is lower and also that they would charge a higher rate. Am I worrying for nothing??

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
MrAnchovy · 11/02/2012 09:50

Nannies do get inspected, for compliance with the conditions aka paperwork.

I believe inspections on the voluntary register may take place once in 10 years or even less frequently. There is no paperwork requirement for a home childcarer on the voluntary register.

MrAnchovy · 11/02/2012 09:38

Also as a CM you must at least have the ICP or another LA course behind you.

This has become somewhat farcical because the course commonly approved by LAs for this purpose is CYPOP5 which is not intended to be a stand-alone qualification and doesn't even cover the common core skills! Even worse there is no nationally recognised qualification (i.e. a Level 2 NVQ) that does cover the core skills other than courses which are assessed in the workplace which is not possible for a nanny.

Fraktal · 11/02/2012 09:01

Also as a CM you must at least have the ICP or another LA course behind you.

Fraktal · 11/02/2012 09:00

Nannies do get inspected, for compliance with the conditions aka paperwork. Part of the core skills you won't get from being a parent- child protection for example - so I'm dubious as to why OFSTED accepted that as proof of core skills if it's her only experience. Given that they don't require a certificate upon registration all one needs to do is tick the box. Does she have it in writing that it's acceptable for her sake?

I'm not disbelieving you, OFSTED add notoriously incompetent. I'm also curious as to why OFSTED allow that to happen when they also jump on people for having an NNEB which isn't core skills compliant.

My concern if I were to employ someone like that is what happens if they are inspected. Non-compliance is theoretically grounds for barring someone from the registers.

south345 · 11/02/2012 08:42

Nannies don't get inspected, she has been crb checked and knew the core skills, being a mum is experience what are you dubious about? Just because someone has a qualification doesn't mean they know what they're doing, I'm a childminder and none of my qualifications are in childcare and I'm graded good.

Fraktal · 11/02/2012 08:32

I'm very dubious about that south. Has she been satisfactorily inspected?

south345 · 11/02/2012 07:40

You don't have to have a qualification to register, my friend registered as my childminding assistant then as a nanny at the same time and she just had to be aware of the core skills, she's a mum of 4 so has experience which they accepted. The crb is only done once and I've sent a few off lately that have come back in less than 2 weeks.

grantschildcare · 11/02/2012 00:50

I decided to register as I had a couple of clients saying they would only hire if I was so they could use vouchers.
It involves needing a level 2+ childcare qualification, liability insurance, CRB, and paediatric first aid. Also I had to register self employed, keep books and file a tax return. If you take the cost of registration, insurance and first-aid it works out at about £150 a year which I paid myself. It did mean I could put my prices up slightly but parents still got a good deal. Personally I think it should be law for all nannies to be registered as I know some parents who leave there child with the 15 year old down the road, which may be fine until something goes wrong.

If you are serious about hiring someone why not offer to pay half the costs, but bear in mind that it can take over 8 weeks just for the CRB to come back.

nanny23 · 09/02/2012 09:14

Hiya as a nanny I'm currently out of jobs im not ofsted registered as I see its a high price to pay where I could be out of work for how many more months, and as you have to renew it yearly think its quite costly to not be using it. But as others had said most nannies who aren't registered maybe for the same reason as me would be happy to register, with the cost covered by the employer.

nannynick · 08/02/2012 23:14

WTC2 and WTC5 booklets from HMRC are worth a read if you have not done so already, as they explain how tax credits can be used to help pay towards childcare. The booklets also give the current maximum weekly claim amounts.

As the employer you decide on the salary you will offer, so it's up to nannies if they will apply for the job or not at the amount you are offering to pay. Please make sure you understand about PAYE as the tax credits can be used to pay towards cost of employing a nanny, which includes Employers NI.

Is a nanny what you want though? If you told us how many children you have, the start and finish time, plus which days of the week you needed childcare, perhaps we could give suggestions on the types of childcare you could consider.

nbee84 · 08/02/2012 21:36

As the scheme for the childcare vouchers has been running for a while now, more and more nannies are Ofsted registered. You should advertise stating that you want an Ofsted registered nanny and see what replies you get. And no, they don't charge more than other nannies.

As said, you can go down the route of hiring a nanny that will become registered whilst she is working for you, but be warned that this can take a few months and you cannot use the vouchers to pay her until she is. You can bank them to pay her once she is registered but that means you will need to find extra money to cover the period until she is registered.

PurplePidjin · 08/02/2012 21:36

It's fairly standard for nannies to register as part of a permanent role afaik. CRB, childcare qualification, paediatric first aid (if I get a perm post I'll have to re do mine as it's general not child specific) and registration fee. Job done Smile

HolyNoSheDittantBatman · 08/02/2012 21:31

All the nannies I know are Ofsted registered, it's almost always required now. Ofsted registered nannies don't charge more. If you find someone you like who isn't registered it's a fairly simple process and I'm sure they'd be happy to do it if you will pay the fee (£103 last year I think, it has to be renewed every year).

nannyn · 08/02/2012 21:18

Most nannies will happily OFSTED register if you're happy to pay the costs. I think it's a first aid course (if they don't have a current one) then a lot of forms, police checks & a registration fee. It's pricey for nannies to do as not all employers are looking for it. If you go through an agency they should advise you.