> Registration Criteria
In order to register nannies need to have the following:
- An Enhanced CRB check*
- A valid paediatric first-aid certificate
- The common core skills in childcare
- Public Liability Insurance, such as Nannyinsure
*The enhanced CRB check must be done as part of the application process even if you already have one (unless it's through Ofsted and less than 3 years old).
Registering & the cost involved
> Ofsted Registration Costs
- £103 - Application fee (non-refundable). This fee includes the enhanced CRB check.
- £103 annual renewal fee. You will need to pay the annual fee in order to remain on the register.
> Who pays?
Although it is the parents that benefit from employing a registered nanny it could also be argued that the nanny will be more employable if she is registered. It is worth the employer and the nanny discussing the costs involved and coming to an arrangement of who pays for what.
Bear in mind that if the employers pay, this may be considered a ‘benefit in kind’ and must in that case be declared as such.
> There are 3 ways to register:
- Visit the Ofsted website and fill in the application form online
- Call Ofsted on 0300 123 1231 and request an application form to be sent to you in the post
- Call Ofsted and ask them to complete the application form for you over the telephone
- Once Ofsted has received your completed application form a letter will be sent out to you explaining what you need to do next. Some of the information included in the letter will be:
- Information on how you can obtain an Enhanced CRB disclosure through Ofsted
- What you need to do in order to get the information that is required by Ofsted checked, such as identity, first aid qualification, insurance documentation. This will take place at the local Post Office as part of their verification scheme
- How to pay the (non-refundable) application fee
Oftsed may also request you to provide other information they consider necessary in order to make an assessment as to whether you are suitable to provide childcare.
> How long does it take?
The time it takes to become registered depends primarily on how long it takes for the Enhanced CRB check to be completed. This can vary a great deal: from a few weeks to, in a minority of cases, a few months for the process to be complete. You should bear this in mind when it comes time to renew your registration.
You should make sure that you have your Public Liability Insurance and paediatric first aid certificate in place by the time your registration comes through because it can not be applied retrospectively.
For more information on the Ofsted Childcare Register and how to register, contact Ofsted on 0300 123 1231 or visit www.ofsted.gov.uk.
> About the OCR
The Ofsted Childcare Register (OCR) was introduced in April 2007 and replaces the Childcare Approval Scheme (CAS). It is an entirely voluntary register which covers childcare provided in the child's home and means that nannies are eligible to be Ofsted registered.
Parents who employ an Ofsted registered nanny can receive some financial relief towards their childcare costs. By allowing a greater number of parents to receive some financial support towards their childcare costs, the register aims to raise the standard of home-based childcare. The scheme is entirely voluntary, but only parents who use a registered nanny will be able to take advantage of any financial support.
There are two types of financial support available: working tax credits and childcare vouchers. In order to take advantage of working tax credits the combined family income cannot exceed £58,000, so in most cases nanny employers do not qualify. Childcare vouchers are available to most employed persons in the UK, irrespective of income, providing their employer has a childcare voucher scheme in place.
In order to be registered the nanny must have public liability insurance, a valid first aid certificate and an enhanced CRB check.
For more information on the Ofsted Childcare Register and how to register, contact Ofsted on 0300 123 1231 or visit www.ofsted.gov.uk