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Paid childcare

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

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Original poster

Childcare vouchers for au pair

12 replies

creativevoid · 20/04/2015 09:51

I have just hired an au pair to start in August. Has anyone had any luck registering au pairs so they can be paid in childcare vouchers? I am in Scotland.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Gusthetheatrecat · 20/04/2015 14:13

Er, I don't think I've ever heard of anyone doing this. Especially as your au pair isn't a childcare professional, they are there to lend a hand.

0x530x610x750x630x79 · 20/04/2015 14:16

does your au pair want to register with ofstead, which can take upto 6 months?

Yerazig · 20/04/2015 15:15

Assuming she has no qualifications first aid etc. she would need to have all that before she could register. The process can take a VERY long time. So I think for an au pair unless she was staying 1yr + plus may not be worth it.

Cindy34 · 20/04/2015 17:52

Aupair would need to register with a nanny agency in Scotland.
I guess that as long as the aupair meets the conditions and that you pay the agency their fee, then it can be done.
Try calling a nanny agency and asking.

Original poster

creativevoid · 21/04/2015 08:36

Thanks everyone. I have found an agency that will do this. I'm not sure how complicated it will be - they are sending me a pack of information.

OP posts:

HRHQueenMe · 21/04/2015 11:10

I do a crb check for all my au pairs as I am an ofsted cm and the au pairs live at my home. The crb usually takes 9 -12 months to come back, in time for the au pair to go home. You cannot do it in advance as you need proof of her address living with you ie bank details in the uk which you cannot do until she arrives. Its a stupid system and makes no sense.

Original poster

creativevoid · 21/04/2015 12:44

Hmm HRH I knew it all sounded too easy! Maybe it's easier/quicker in Scotland? (I doubt it...)

OP posts:

nbee84 · 21/04/2015 13:21

Hrh - are Ofsted ok with this? Just wondering as potentially you could have someone in your home for 9 months and then the crb check flags them up to be unsuitable to be there, though I realise this is unlikely.

HRHQueenMe · 21/04/2015 13:39

The CRB is done through Ofstedso they are well aware. I was inspected a few months back and showed the inspector the application and reference no that it was submitted, and she was fine with that. The au pairs bring a police check from home which I am happy with. The aupairs are not assistants so dont deal with the mindees on their own at any time, they are also all introduced to the parents and everyone is clear on what their roles are.

HRHQueenMe · 21/04/2015 13:41

Nbee,I fully agree, it is not an ideal system!!!

nbee84 · 21/04/2015 14:01

It's not is it? I read your post and was just thinking - what a great idea, an au pair to help with your children and maybe lend a hand here and there with the childminding but it's no good if the crb takes so long.

HRHQueenMe · 21/04/2015 14:49

Its ideal for us, the au pair handles mychildrens school runs and activities so they dont miss out, and the mindees dont have to endure endless school runs.
I recruit from my home country only so its easy for me to ensure I have the right girls with suitable backgrounds and I can check that their crb from home is correct.

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