Nanny Ofsted Registration - The Financial Benefits

The Financial Benefits

Many of you may have read about the tax breaks that the Government introduced to assist with "approved" childcare, which includes nannies. If your nanny is registered with OFSTED you may be eligible for childcare vouchers, tax credits or the new Tax Free Childcare Scheme.

Firstly, for further information on the right scheme for you visit https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

How do the schemes work?

• Tax Free Childcare
• Childcare Vouchers

 
 

Ofsted

How to get your nanny approved?

Applications and renewals by nannies will be dealt with by Ofsted who will deal with the voluntary registration to the Ofsted Childcare Register (OCR).

Voluntary registration to the Ofsted Childcare Register - The registration requirements for this body are as follows:

1. The applicant will need to demonstrate suitability.
   
   
2. The applicant will be required to apply for a DBS check and have their identity checked at a local post office.
   
   
3. A certificate may be required where the applicant has lived abroad within three years of making the application.
   
   
4. Ofsted will seek confirmation from applicants that they are not disqualified from providing childcare.
   
   
5. The applicant will be required to hold a current first aid certificate and public liability insurance.
   
   
6. Applications can be made in writing to Ofsted, National Business Unit, Royal Exchange Buildings, St Ann's Square, Manchester. M2 7LA, by phone on 0300 123 1231 or online.
   
   OFSTED charges a yearly fee of £135 for registration to the scheme. There may also be additional charges for:
   
   
   • First certificate £70 - 100
   • Common Core Skills training £140
   • Nanny insurance - leading companies offering insurance, Morton Michel, Nanny Insure, The National Childminding Association and Pacey.
    
7. The nanny must apply as a 'home childcarer' (not as a childcare provider on domestic premises).

What if the nanny I want is not OFSTED registered?

Voluntary registration with OFSTED is a relatively new scheme and many nannies are not currently registered. If you find a nanny who is not OFSTED registered they will have to go through the registration process. All candidates are required to complete Common Core Skills training, even if they already have a childcare qualification. This is because the Common Core Skills training includes some modules not found in childcare courses, including (for example) multi agency working. They can either book onto a CCS course or do the course via a correspondence course.

They also have to hold an accepted paediatrics first aid certificate and nanny insurance. Once the nanny has all of this information they can register on the scheme, pay, and the DBS will be applied for.

OFSTED registration is not particularly time consuming however it can take around 2 months to gather the required documents and for OFSTED to process the application and DBS. For many parents it is still worth the time and cost in savings.

Who should pay for OFSTED registration?

OFSTED registration is a financial saving to families, therefore to register your nanny to OFSTED, it is typically funded by the employer. Any dedicated nanny should absorb the cost of a first aid certificate and nanny insurance if they do not already hold these.