How can a nanny receive childcare vouchers?

[rubyslippers]

Our new nanny is due to start in a few weeks

we have been using childcare vouchers but we have been using a nursery (which was registered) and our employers were already in the schemes

any advice or information would be much appreciated on how our nanny can get this sorted

TIA

I think she needs to be registered with Ofsted for this.

ah - thanks

have been on the OFSTED site this morning but it is hard to navigate

Type in what you are looking for on the search engine (google etc), it will go to the right place for you so you don't need to search. Nanny ofsted registration or something, it saves sooo much time.

she needs to go on the voluntary part of the ofsted registraion, form here. inpenetrable, IME/O.

usual practice (in north london) is that you the employer bear any costs for her registering, eg for the child first aid course if she doesn't have a cert already, a CRB check, the time taken for her to fill in form.

i'm told you can save up the vounchers and use them later, so that the process taking a while shouldn't matter.

i'm put off by the form atm. must get back to it for our homehelp/minder lady.

thanks to both of you

really helpful

the OFSTED site is a nightmare

we are happy to bear the costs for her - she is CRB checked and has an up to date first aid certificate

Ofsted speak for Registered Nannies is Home Childcarers. Ofsted: Guide to registration on the Childcare Register. Home Childcarers (Nannies) are on the Voluntary register.

It's a bit of a pain how Ofsted combines together various different categories on the same form, thus also same guidance documents. Mind you it probably saves Government money somehow. The form can be completed online at online.ofsted though that CR1 By Hand form is handy merryberry, good find

As part of the registration process, Ofsted will do their own Enhanced CRB check.

What childcare training does your nanny have? Will need something that Ofsted recognise.

The vouchers you get can be 'banked' for a while - usually vouchers have an expiry date on them if you get the paper vouchers. Discuss with your voucher provider.

Once your nanny has their Ofsted registration through (they will be sent a Certificate) then they need to complete the paperwork from your voucher company. When your nanny pays (or you pay) the Ofsted Fee MAKE SURE YOU REQUEST A RECEIPT as the voucher company may require it at a later date! More info about this recent issue with Childcare Vouchers.

Voucher payments can take a while to be processed, so by banking up a few months worth you will be in a good position to start using them to pay your nanny. Always have one voucher in hand... so the voucher you get with say your November salary, use that to pay Nannies December salary. Thus you give the voucher to the nanny part way through December, such that it can clear the financial systems in time for nannies payday (typically last day of the month).
Remember, if a voucher does not clear in time then you are still responsible for making sure your nanny has the right pay in their bank account by their pay date. This is probably the same as with Nursery.

Payslips - the voucher amount does not need to be shown on payslips though it can help to do so... this could be done manually by just writing on the payslip that payment is made x amount in voucher, y amount via BACS (interbank transfer or whatever payment system is being used).

By having an Ofsted Registered nanny you are permitting Ofsted to visit your home. Technically Ofsted have to ask permission to enter your property as I don't think their warrant enables them to enter a private home (except in the case of a Registered Childminder). Ofsted currently inspect around 10% of those on the voluntary register.

Note, I have assumed you are in England as you have already mentioned Ofsted.
Scotland, Wales and NI have other schemes in operation so procedures there are different.

nannynick - what can i say but a huge thanks

really appreciate that information

Thank you

And the handy checklist for an OFSTED registered nanny:

Do they have a 12 hour paediatric 1st Aid certificate?
Do they have a qualification awarded since 2005 at level 2 or 3, MNT's common core certificate, or an ICP certificate? If not have the become common core compliant (e.g. by doing a child protection course)? Currently OFSTED accept anyone who is common core compliant but the onus is on the candidate to ensure they are. I talked about it at length here!
Do they have appropriate nanny insurance that they've paid for?
Are they able to provide the documentation required for a new CRB through OFSTED?

Enjoy!

thanks Frakkin ...

Hey,
Ive literally just registered as a nanny with ofsted and you dont need any of the qualifications mentioned above other than first aid. Ofsted will carry out their own CRB check. Its worthwhile you having liability insurance for your nanny too (mine cost £59 for the year) Its just cost me £103 to register and that will also last a year. BUT the ONLY things that I required to officially register was an English address and a valid first aid certificate related to childcare. You only need to have the other courses if you are looking after children on top of the ones living in the home, or registering as a childminder. I dont have any of those qualifications and have been awarded an Ofsted certificate.
Hope this helps
Jenny x

jenn you do need to be common core compliant. I assume you ticked the box saying you met that criterion and that you had public liability insurance too?

If you are ever inspected you will be required to show evidence that you meet the requirements here

First aid is CR1.2, a qualification is CR4.2, insurance is CR14.1.

Bit of Déjà vu there... ah, the message thread is from May 2010. Often best to start a new thread if you find something on an old thread, as things do move on, especially in childcare regulation.

CR1 By Hand (April 2010) is the latest version of the application form to my knowledge.

When looking at that, anything that says All Providers or where it says home childcarers - those are things you as a nanny have to do in order to be considered registered. Whilst Ofsted may not physically check documentation, they will do so on an inspection visit and may from time to time ask for a copy (in the past they asked for copies of First Aid certificates).

A message thread from December 2010, where I listed all the things that Home Childcarers have to comply with.