Is Ofsted needed?

[mrsspaniel]

Hello all,
I am going back to work shortly and searching for suitable childcare. I've looked at ofsted registered childminders but also some babysitters/non-registered childminders. I'm confused what the difference is really, and what would yourselves choose, should a qualification trump experience?
Thank you xx

A childminder is legally required to be Oftsed registered (unless they only provide care for over 8's). A non-registered childminder is breaking the law so unless they are a close friend/relative I would not leave my child in their care. A childminder is self-employed and works from their own home.

Nannies, babysitters, au pairs and mother's helps are not required to be Ofsted registered. In almost all cases you would be required to register/act as an employer.

An Ofsted registered childcarer can accept childcare vouchers if your workplace offers them.

Ofsted is not a qualification it's a government body that regulates childcare and education, although registration does require a basic qualification, first aid, police check and insurance as a minimum.

Personally I wouldn't go for qualifications over experience, but there are many who place a high value on a certificates.

Hey, I am a registered childminder, and have also been a registered nanny, and have a child psychology degree, I have come into contact with a lot of different childcare workers, some qualified, some not. Having qualifications doesn't necessarily mean you are better at your job, but it can, and really should, mean that you have a more technical knowledge, than those who aren't. (I really don't want to offend anyone, obviously I realise experience is the best education!!)

You need to trust your instincts, it's important to remember anyone can be a nanny, and if even they are registered, they never physically come into contact with ofsted, they aren't governed and if you are nervous, it may offer you more reassurance to be with a registered childminder, who will follow Early Years Foundation Stage and have to adhere to government guidelines.

Having been both a nanny and a childminder, I would chose childminder every time!!

As Outraged has said, Ofsted is not a qualification awarding body, they are the childcare regulator in England and some types of care fall under their regulation.

Firstly decide if you are looking for someone to come to your home, thus are your employee who only looks after your children, or if you want to use the service provided by a childcare facility, such as a Registered Childminder, Nursery, Pre-School.

Qualifications vary, from short courses to degrees. Experience varies, some may have experience of caring for a wide age range of children, some may have experience of caring for a long time, or a short time. Some may have experience of group care, such as nursery work, others may have experience of individual family care, such as a nanny.
Very hard to say one thing is better than another... generally I feel you want experience and training, though what level of experience and what level of training is entirely up to you.

So first... consider if you want to be an employer of a service user... that will then start to narrow down your options.

'and have to adhere to government guidelines'

Of course one of the major advantages of a nanny is that they don't have to adhere to government guidelines

Unless they are OFSTED registered in which case they have to follow some, but those for nannies are (for the most part) sensible.

Seriously though I would say nick has it right - decide if you want to employ someone or not, then decide whether you need to use vouchers or not.

Then it's down to what is important to you - by the time someone has 15/20 years experience their qualification is likely to be outdated anyway so then signs of continuous CPD are more important, plus questions about how up to date their knowledge is on guidelines which have changed since they trained.