**Nanny Nick** can you help me please?

[applelucozade]

Sorry Nick, I didn’t know how to get in touch with you so thought this would be the best way. I know that your extremely knowledgeable about this sort of stuff so hopefully you can help me. I’m a registered nanny through Care Inspectorate Wales (I believe your based In England so I know things might be slightly different). I renew my registration every year and to comply with the regulations I have to complete a paediatric first aid course every three years. I can’t renew my registration without one that’s in date.

Now, my dilemma is that my current first aid certificate runs out in September and I had planned to book a course in October and have it ready for when I need to renew my registration in December. I have spoken to a lady who runs the courses in my local area and she’s explained that due to the current situation she doesn’t know when things will return to normal. There is also the issue of that other child care providers will not have been able to complete their courses during these current months so there will be a backlog which unfortunately might mean there won’t be enough spaces on the course for other people, like myself. Understandably these child carers take priority as they had booked months ago.

I’m concerned, because as mentioned above I can’t renew my registration without a first aid certificate that's in date so if normal life hasn’t resumed by that time I’m not sure what I will do. My employer receives financial help through my registration in order to pay my wages and I don’t think she can afford to pay me out of her own pocket. I’m trying to get in touch with the welsh government to ask these questions but I’m not having much luck as there not operating in the building currently. I’m not sure if they’ll have an answer yet anyway as I don’t think anything has been announced by the PM.

I was just curious, do you have any information in regards to all of this? I can’t be the only nanny with this problem, I’m sure there are other nannies facing this issue based in England. Sorry for rambling, praying you can help!

Thank you!

Bump. Hoping Nick see's this!

Firstly lets take the situation if COVID-19 was not exiting.

The childcare approval scheme in Wales has run into a legal difficulty. The result at the moment of that is that a new scheme will be developed and meanwhile HMRC and DWP have agreed to continue with the old scheme whilst the new scheme is developed. Details here.

current first aid certificate runs out in September
planned to book a course in October
I need to renew my registration in December.

So for October and November and part of December, if you were caring for children then you would be in breach of the regulations to my knowledge, as you do not have an active first aid certificate.

[[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/730/schedule/3/made
The Childcare (Voluntary Registration) Regulations 2007, Schedule 3]]
"At least one person who is caring for children on the premises on which childcare is being provided has a first aid qualification which is appropriate to the ages of the children for whom childcare is provided and to the nature of the provision."

So your certificate runs out in September and should be renewed prior to it expiring so you can continue to care for children.

Problem though, no practical courses currently available due to COVID-19.

The FAQ says "We recognise these things will happen. We would expect you to do it as soon as courses resume."

Ofsted in England has said that HSE is giving a 3-month extension to certificates. If you read what HSE actually say, then Paediatric certificates are not in the list for the 3 month extension. So looks to me that this is down to the regulator in your country, so they "expect you to do it as soon as courses resume."

So I would be actively trying to book a course, keeping a log of attempts made should the regulator ever query it. You need to get on a course as soon as they become available. Consider other course providers in locations within a reasonable travel distance. Some providers may be offering blended courses where some is online, so you could do the online bit shortly before your current certificate expires. That would help show the regulator that you are trying your best to keep your training active. Get on a waiting list for a physical course... trainers may be running more courses than usual once it is deemed safe to do so.

Thank you so much Nick, this has really given me a lot to think about and I will try and book a course as soon as normal life resumes, hopefully soon. I have spoken to my employer about my first aid possibly not being in date and she's been incredibly understanding about the whole situation (obviously not ideal I know and I would rather not break the regulations if it can be helped but I guess we'll just have to see what happens in the next few months).

Ideally I would of preferred to book a course before September but when I spoke to the course leader a couple of months ago (before COVID) she explained they were fully booked until October, and now with the current situation, it hasn't helped and caused a backlog.

But again, thank you so much. I will keep an eye on things and continue watching to see when courses are back up and running. The lady who I've been in touch has promised to help me as much as she can so fingers crossed. Thanks again, really appreciate it