Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.
Childcare
CM Club Has anyone seen this?...
babydales · 01/04/2007 19:32
'To all childminders looking after 8s and over.I phoned ofsted today to ask how much the fee is for registering for 8s and over and they told me the fee is £100.00 pounds.When I asked why it was so much Ofsted said they have put childminders in the same category as playgroups and nurseries.NCMA have been very silent about this dont you think!!!! So much for supporting childminders LOL!!! All minders with NCMA should contact them regarding this mattter to ask why we have not received any info on this subject regarding this charge.'
This is an email I received the other day. Any thoughts anyone?
nannynick · 01/04/2007 20:09
I didn't think that prices have yet been announced for OCR in full. While OCR voluntary registration rate has been announced, it would not apply to a registered childminder, unless they ONLY cared for children over the age of 8 - in which case why are they registered! At least that is my understanding.
I do however expect that registration fees will increase over the next few years, as the OCR is supposed to be self-funding. Though I think that there will be opposition to such fee rises, so will need to watch what happens.
nannynick · 01/04/2007 21:09
No, because you are a Registered Childminder caring for children UNDER the age of 8. It therefore does not affect you, unless you decide to change to only caring for children aged 8 and above. However, other aspects of OCR and EYR will affect you, so I do expect that you will get details of those as they get nearer to coming into force - which could be as late as September 2008.
nannynick · 01/04/2007 21:25
As this is getting a little confusing, will try to explain what is happening over the next year or so with regard to registration... at least, as far as I understand it (which could well be wrong).
There will be TWO registers:
Early Years Register - providers caring for under 5's
Ofsted Childcare Register - providers caring for children aged 5 and over
OCR is split into two sections:
Compulsory - providers caring for children aged 5 to 7
Voluntary - providers caring for children aged 8 and over
The OCR ensures that parents can access Working Tax Credit and the employer supported childcare scheme (Childcare Vouchers).
Childcare providers CURRENTLY registered with Ofsted for care of Under 8's will be able to join EYR / OCR in September 2008. Until then you remain on the current Ofsted register.
A consultation is planned for later in 2007 with regard to Fees for EYR and OCR (Compulsory)
DfES has published more information about the outcome of the Ofsted Childcare Register consultation .
ThePrisoner · 01/04/2007 22:16
I've already had a nice, long letter from Ofsted (dated March 2007). One paragraph says:
"As a registered provider for children under the age of eight, your current registration will remain in place until September 2008 and you do not need to take any action now in relation to the new registers. We will write to you again in 2008 ..."
However, it also says I can make an application to join the voluntary Childcare Register now if I already care for over 8s, with an extra separate fee (no details) and would have to meet the "separate requirements" of the Register.
Guess how cheesed off I am with Ofsted. I do not feel any great desire to contact Ofsted in advance of 2008. I shall just stop having all the big children. Oh, and I think I will stop having little ones too. That would solve all the problems in one go.
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