OFSTED
Towards a better system of regulation.
At CLICK nannies, we support the Government’s efforts to establish a register of approved child-carers under the auspices of Ofsted, and encourage our candidates to register if they’ve not already done so.
To obtain an Ofsted Certificate of Registration or approval, a child-carer has to complete a short application form, supply an up-to-date first-aid certificate and pay a registration fee. Ofsted then check the information supplied, carry out a police (CRB) check and – provided everything is in order – issue a certificate.
Can I get help with funding my childcare?
The Government runs two schemes designed to assist with the cost of childcare: The Childcare Voucher scheme and the Child Tax Credits (CTC)/Working Tax Credits (WTC) schemes. Both are linked to the registration system for child-carers run by Ofsted to create a recognised system of approval. This means if your child-carer is registered or approved, you may be entitled to help with the cost of paying for your childcare.
Childcare Vouchers and Tax Credits.
If your child-carer has Ofsted certification and if your own employer is part of an accredited childcare voucher scheme (or is willing to become part of one) you may be entitled to childcare vouchers.
Some employers may offer vouchers in addition to salary, while others might offer them as a “salary sacrifice”, Whichever, your employer must obtain the vouchers from a childcare voucher company.
There are benefits to both you and your employer in this scheme. Currently you will pay no income tax (IT) or national insurance (NI) on the first £55 per week of vouchers issued, while your employer will save by not having to pay any NI on the vouchers issued.
Once the voucher scheme has been set up, the voucher company will send the vouchers directly to you or your employer. Either way, you then simply pass them on to your child-carer, who, assuming they are being paid nett, does not then have to pay IT or NI on them.
But, please note, if you are in receipt of either CTC or WTC, you should be aware that childcare vouchers may affect your entitlement. We strongly advise that you review the position with HM Revenue & Customs before entering into the voucher scheme.
