Finding a nanny.. a question

[nkweto]

We are considering a nanny share option when our second little one comes along in Feb. It appears that nanny agency fees are quite high, however, I would be very unwilling to hire someone without an enhanced CRB check, and cannot work out how we could arrange one without hiring through an agency.

As far as I can work out, I cannot as an individual employer organise this, but an agency can. Is this true, and is it also true that without this check, I cannot get the nanny Ofsted registered? We would also want to use our childcare vouchers..

OFSTED will do the check for you AFAIK

If you get someone who isn't already registered and doesn't have a check make sure you make the offer conditional on registration, get them to pay for it upfront and reimburse them for the cost of registering and the CRB check once it's gone through.

The qualification, 1st Aid and especially insurance they should all pay for themselves/have in place already although if you find a particularly exceptional candidate lacking one of these you could offer to split the cost except for insurance which the nanny MUST pay for themselves.

Ofsted do an Enhanced level CRB check as part of the Ofsted Registration, so no need to use an agency.

Next year a new system will be started, which will enable anyone to check a childcarers suitability to be with children. Its like an id card for childcarers.

That is very good news! I have a follow up question about the insurance. The nanny pays liability insurance ? Do I not need to extend my home insurance to cover the nanny as well ?

How do people generally check references, can I ask for phone numbers and addresses (I am so paranoid), so that I can talk to ex-employers directly ?

Thank you so much, within 3 responses I have got answers to questions, I could not find info on anywhere !! (probably because I was looking on nanny agency sites...)

You usually have employers liability insurance as part of your house contents insurance.
Dig out your policy or call your insurer to check terms.

References should be checked by phone. If a reference is quite old it may be hard to check. Certainly try to talk to last employer, or one previous to that, if the nanny has not told current employer that they are leaving.