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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

Ofsted Nanny.. but no childcare qualification... ? Is this possible ??

39 replies

lahm · 31/03/2009 16:17

Hello, I would greatly appreciate some advice on this.. I've met an Ofsted registered nanny (have seen her certificate), but she doesnt actually have a childcare qualification. When I asked her how she had been able to become registered without a childcare qualification she said she didnt know and that her previous employer had dealt with it all for her. I'm really confused, as I always thought that in order to be Ofsted registered, a childcare qualification was a must.
Can anyone shed some light on this please?
Thanks so much

OP posts:

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Sorrento · 31/03/2009 16:21

Hi,
Yes it is possible because ofstead registration is entirely optional, they'd like a childcare qualification but it's not essential yet.
hth

Original poster

lahm · 31/03/2009 16:26

But thats not what it says in their factsheet on the Ofsted website. And when I called to ask, they also told me they do require a childcare qualification as well as 1st aid certificate.
Anyone else any advice on this?
I'm most confused !!
Thanks

OP posts:

SadMarg · 31/03/2009 16:50

Don't know. Perhaps the previous employer lied on the form???

Why not just double check with Ofsted re her actual certificate.

jura · 31/03/2009 16:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nannyL · 31/03/2009 16:53

i thought it was essential too

i know a few nannies who dont have insurance but have ticked the box to say they do and ofsted havent checked

Cosette · 31/03/2009 16:56

There is a 2 day course that Nannies can do which gives them the "childcare qualification" bit, alongside having the necessary first aid course and CRB check. But it is not a qualification in its own right - so it sounds like that's what your Nanny may have.
www.mnttraining.co.uk Common core skills I think is the one..

I paid for my nanny to do this course in order to get her registered for childcare vouchers a couple of years ago - think it was SureStart or some other body then, so not sure if it's now changed.

Original poster

lahm · 31/03/2009 17:00

No.. She hasnt done a 2 day course and I cant find anything on her CV that points towards an early years course or certificate for common core skills of any description.
I've checked her Ofsted certificate number and it is fine.
Still confused.. !

OP posts:

Cosette · 31/03/2009 17:02

think there was an online self-study alternative - could she have done that, and just forgotten?

Otherwise would Ofsted confirm to you what qualification they have her down for?

Cosette · 31/03/2009 17:05

Also she would have had to have signed the forms as the Nanny actually has to apply - don't think the employer can do it on their behalf. Surestart (and I presume Ofsted also) required evidence of completion of the course - it annoyed me at the time that she had to complete the course (for which there was a 2 month wait), before they would even start the CRB check (which then took a further 10 weeks).

Original poster

lahm · 31/03/2009 17:13

Yes, I thought the nanny had to do it too.
My last nanny did her own application.
Thanks everyone for your advice.. I think I will have a further chat with the nanny and see if there is a course she has ommitted from her CV etc and then speak with Ofsted.
If anyone else has any thoughts on this, all much appreciated !

OP posts:

Sorrento · 31/03/2009 17:16

I would give her a miss then, in all honesty.
My nutty nanny didn't have any qualifications either and I think the colleges root the fruit loops out and suggest other careers for them, or at least I hope so.

ScottishThistle · 31/03/2009 17:18

Are you worried it's false?

I believe they require a very minimum qualification which in my opinion is utterly pointless anyway.

If you're at all questioning her ability/CV call her references.

Original poster

lahm · 31/03/2009 17:18

No, she's had a wonderful education and is lovely with great references. Has done a lot of work with Stagecoach too.
I'm just very confused with this whole Ofsted business

OP posts:

Original poster

lahm · 31/03/2009 17:26

I think what I'm questioning is not her, or that anything underhand has happened and I can see the certificate is genuine (I've also checked the reference on the website and its the same date)..but I'm just very unclear as to how her application went through the Ofsted system if she doesnt have some sort of childcare qualification. For this reason, I wouldnt want it to come to light at some point that something was wrong and Ofsted reg is recinded. I think I need to call Ofsted and see if they can let me know..
Thanks again everyone !!

OP posts:

nannynick · 31/03/2009 18:26

The latest guide to registration on the Childcare Register (dated: Aug 2008) is available on the Ofsted website.

CR4.4 - The Registered Person must ensure that at least one person has successfully completed a: 
~ qualification at a minimum of level 2 in an area of work relevant to the childcare, or
~ training in the core skills as set out in the
document ?common core of skills and knowledge
for the children?s workforce?.
~~~ End Quote ~~~

Annex F on page 55 tells you more about Common Core.

Ofsted will at some point inspect the nanny and at that point will check all their documentation. I think it is only after that inspection that you can be sure that someone actually meets all the requirements - until then us nannies on the Register just hope that what we have done meets all the requirements.

Original poster

lahm · 31/03/2009 18:32

Hi nannynick thanks, yes I've previously read all that on Ofsted site, which is why I am confused as to why she has passed registration without appearing to have met all the criteria. I thought I must have missed something. I appreciate what you have said about checks, but surely documents would have had to have been submitted and checked before registration was approved.. otherwise, what is the whole point of the scheme?
I'm going to call Ofsted to see what they say on it..
Thanks !

OP posts:

nannynick · 31/03/2009 18:45

It has been a while now (well over 18 months) since I applied for registration with Ofsted, so I do not recall what paperwork they actually required to see. Recently they have been requiring everyone registered to send in a copy of their First Aid Certificate. Perhaps they may in the future ask everyone to send in evidence that they meet the training requirements.
When I applied to Ofsted, they used the Veri-fy system to confirm ID, but the staff at my local village postoffice had not at that time had any training on how to use the system - so if they had checked training certificates they wouldn't have known what to check. As there are so many different courses, I don't think postoffice staff are able to check training certificates... the Ofsted VCR as I understand it relies on the applicant declaring that they meet the requirements, rather than actually having to prove that they meet the requirements.

Original poster

lahm · 31/03/2009 18:54

Mmm, in that case I think its definitely a good idea for me to double check with Ofsted !
Thank you !!

OP posts:

nannynick · 31/03/2009 18:58

I would suggest e-mailing Ofsted, they tend to be better responding via that - as they have to meet targets, have to keep the e-mail on file etc. Provide them with the Name and Registration Number of the applicant and ask them what training certificates they have seen.
I expect they won't be able to tell you, as they probably haven't got the information plus may consider such information to be protected under the Data Protection Act. Interesting to hear what they do reply.

Original poster

lahm · 31/03/2009 19:00

I'll probably call. I have already spoken with them on the phone although I didnt give specifics.
Will post again if I can add some info !

OP posts:

willowthewispa · 31/03/2009 19:17

I'm in the process of registering at the moment - I recently did the very pointless Common Core course. So far Ofsted haven't asked for any evidence of the Common Core qualification or my insurance, I just ticked a box to say I have them - they have asked me to send a copy of my first aid cert though.

Maybe the nanny's previous employers just ticked the boxes for her, but she doesn't actually have any quals?

Tarenath · 01/04/2009 07:08

Quick question but is it possible to start Ofsted registration before you've met all the requirements? I have First aid and am currently doing unit 1 of my diploma and about to book the CACHE exam but haven't arranged insurance yet since I don't want to be paying out when I don't have an employer lined up yet.

nannynick · 01/04/2009 23:16

Tarenath - from the responses so far, it would appear that it is possible to start the process prior to you actually meeting all the requirements. However, it is a risk you are taking - Ofsted change the way they do things... so what applies now, may not be the same next week.
With regards to insurance... I don't feel you need it until you are actually caring for children - as it isn't providing you with cover until that stage. It can be easily arranged so once you have accepted a job, you could then start the insurance.
If you are currently working with children, then you should have insurance... regardless of if you are Ofsted registered or not. It helps to protect you. So if you are doing any childcare while also doing your course - then get the insurance to start as soon as possible.
Keep in mind that Ofsted may ask for a copy of any documentation they so desire at any stage - if you can't produce things you said you had in an application, then there may be problems.

BoffinMum · 01/04/2009 23:34

Just out of interest, does a PGCE/QTS count as a qualification for the purposes of registration??? Do we know?

Tarenath · 02/04/2009 07:56

Thanks Nannynick. That's what I thought. I'm almost finished my course so for the sake of a few weeks I'll wait before starting the registration process.

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