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

Nannies & Childminders - Ofsted is checking First Aid Certificates

40 replies

nannynick · 19/01/2009 11:44

In my post this morning I got a letter from Ofsted. They appear to be checking First Aid Certificates of those people registered on the Childcare Register, where Ofsted has not seen the certificate first-hand. Therefore if your First Aid certificate has not been seen by a Childcare Inspector, then do expect to get a letter. The letter gives you 10 working days to send them a copy of your certificate - they do include a pre-paid envelope.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
ilovethecake · 23/01/2009 12:35

Does anyone know what will happen if an Ofstead reg. nanny thought her first aid was up to date, but then recently found out it ran out last year, and she has been paid using vouchers, what should she do? Will she be in trouble?

Annner · 23/01/2009 10:20

Oops, sorry.

Annner · 23/01/2009 09:53

Nowearefour, what do they mean by an inspection? Surely not along the same lines as childminders?

It's bad enough that my children are subject to the paperwork of EYFS at preschool, without them having to follow it when they are playing with their own Lego.

Do we have to let these people into our own homes??????

Annner · 23/01/2009 09:52

Nowearefour, what do they mean by an inspection? Surely not along the same lines as childminders?

It's bad enough that my children are subject to the paperwork of EYFS at preschool, without them having to follow it when they are playing with their own Lego.

Do we have to let these people into our own homes??????

Annner · 23/01/2009 09:45

My nanny is also being hounded. The only reason why she is on their "voluntary" register is so that we can use our childcare vouchers. We see it as being our responsibility, not hers, as she would have no difficulty in securing work without it. Most adults are quite capable of looking at a First Aid Certificate, for example.

She phoned OFSTED to check whether it was necessary, as she as misplaced her certificate, which is due to expire this July.

They told her that it was. They also told her that they had a record of having seen her certificate. They then told her that she still had to send it in again anyway.

Sooooooooooooooooooooooo. To recap. OFSTED wants to see a copy of a document that THEY have a record of having seen already.

The arrogance of these people. When she told them that she had lost her certificate, offering instead the summary that they are given on the day, while she waits for SJA to send her a copy, the woman on the other end of the phone said, "oh, you will need to book yourself onto a new course immediately". Even though they HAVE IT ON RECORD THAT THEY HAVE SEEN HER CERTIFICATE!

How generous they are with other people's time and money. Do OFSTED have any idea of the real world? A First Aid Certificate lasts for three years. If she did this, we would be coughing up just over every two years. Plus the hundred odd quid every year for registration that we didn't need, having worked together and been happy together for two years prior to this system coming in.

Quite how this protects children is utterly beyond me.

nannyL · 22/01/2009 21:17

i got that letter yesturday too

ill send it when i get round to it!...

i am ofstead registered, and my boss wont pay me with busy bees for a few months!

nowwearefour · 22/01/2009 21:05

my nanny is being hounded by Ofsted for an inspection. Is there anything I can do to make it easier for her? She is registered purely so we can use Childcare vouchers. All a big pain in the neck!! She is renewing her first aid certificate but is there anything else they are likely t ask her or look for? anyon else been inspected recently?

navyeyelasH · 21/01/2009 21:58

I got this letter too! How odd, in a good way. There is an email address on my letter, do you reckon we can email a copy?

Melinda76 · 19/01/2009 20:46

Thanks nannynick I got a letter asking for this this this morning in the post too. Was a bit confused bacause it said they are still processing my application and can't go further without seeing my First Aid cert - but I got my cerificate of registration last week!!! Confused!!

frannikin · 19/01/2009 20:24

Nannies had to have an Early Years one too when they moved from the CAS approal scheme to OFSTED. Everyone registered with OFSTED has to have the 12 hours paeds certificate now. Hopefully they won't change their minds again!

no1childminder · 19/01/2009 15:18

i think they may be doing this as when i was a nanny, and ofsted registered, having the ST Johns All Ages First Aid Certificate was ok but its not ok if you are a childminder. you need the Early Years one. when i spoke to someone at ofsted on the phone she told me my old one was ok, but its not. so less than 10mths after completing the all ages course i had to do the Early Years one. i think they are just checking as theres been alot of confusion.

i got my letter from Ofsted asking for a copy of my certificate this morning too.

Original poster
nannynick · 19/01/2009 15:04

Yes, it makes you wonder why they have decided to do this. Perhaps they have realised that the current system isn't very good in making sure that those who are registered are actually meeting the requirements.
Good thing though, as will help make sure that people are complying.

OP posts:
nomoreamover · 19/01/2009 14:27

definately a good idea -thats the one thing lots of CMs manage to ignore for a while!

Odd though - there is bound to more where that came from!

Blondeshavemorefun · 19/01/2009 12:48

sounds a good idea to me

KatyMac · 19/01/2009 12:26

How odd