Can you pay a nanny using your childs free early learning fund?

[miffin]

Well - that's the question really! We have a nanny that we're very happy with and we're not going to be using the local pre-school facility. So can we claim for 15 hours worth of her services in the same way that childminders do? She is ofsted registered and prepared to do whatever is needed, if it is possible. If it can be done, how should we proceed?
Thanks in advance!

CHildminders have to be accredited via an approved network (extra hoops to jump through etc)
I don't think Nannies have this option although I could be wrong (probably am!! lol) - although if they are an NCMA nanny, I don't see why they couldn't join a local approved/accredited network - if there is a network (not all areas have them).

So perhaps she needs to ask NCMA if there is one in her area or the possibilities of joining a local one.

It can be a lengthy process though.

Sadly nannies can't in any way, shape or form as they're not early years settings. So even if she joined NCMA and somehow got onto a network she'd fall at that first hurdle. We can't work towards EYPS either :(

No you can't.

Also the amount of the funding will probably be lower than the amount your nanny is paid. EYFE rate in my area is £4.03 per child. Not that it matters... as you can't use the funding.

You could have your nanny take your child to pre-school though... giving your child some time away from nanny (nanny can then have 1:1 time with a younger sibling, if there is one... or nanny can do some domestic chores).