This pack gives you information on home-based childcarers. It covers:

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2 Home-based childcare pack This pack gives you information on home-based childcarers. It covers: 1. What is a Home-Based Childcarer? 1 At-home childcarer 1 Babysitters 2 Childminders 3 2. What are At-Home Childcarers duties, pay and conditions? 4 Home-based childcarers/nanny duties 4 Hours nannies work 5 Costs of home-based childcare 5 Tax Credits 6 3. Are Home-Based Childcarers Regulated? 8 Voluntary part of the childcare register 9 Fees for registration 10 Contact details for Ofsted 11 Training and qualifications 12 Applicants who have lived abroad 12 Wandsworth Early Years Training Section 13 Maternity & Nanny Training (MNT) 13 Benefits to parents of using registered childcare How do you find a home-based childcarer? 16 Interviewing an at-home childcarer 16 References 19 Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) 20

3 5. How do I become an Employer? 21 Tax and National Insurance Contributions 21 Insurance 23 Contracts 24 Holidays 24 Establish the house rules 24 Summary of the terms of registration Leaving children home alone List of Nanny Agencies and Useful Contacts31 List of Useful Contacts in alphabetical order: 33 Family Information Service Contact details 34

4 1. What is a Home-Based Childcarer? Home-based childcarers are either childminders or athome childcarers such as nannies or au pairs. Childminders look after children in their own home and nannies look after children in the child s home. Using childcare in a home environment can be more flexible than some other forms of childcare as children can also enjoy real life learning experiences like cooking, shopping, gardening and outings to the park and the library. At-home childcarer At-home childcarers look after children from birth to 18 years in the children s own home, usually while parents are at work. The children must be from no more than two families at any one time. At-home childcarers are usually nannies (or au pairs) and are employed by the family rather than being selfemployed. They must be 18 years old or over and are often expected to drop-off and pick-up children from school (where applicable), and organise activities for them to do. Nannies are not required to register with the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), but can choose to do so. If parents want to claim the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit they can ask their nanny to register with Ofsted s Voluntary Childcare Register.

5 Babysitters A babysitter provides childcare typically on a part-time or an as-needed basis, often in the evening but at other times too. No special training or background is required; however, a babysitter should be able to respond appropriately in a crisis, communicate effectively with parents and have basic first aid skills. As babysitters are not "registered" and there are no regulations to govern this type of childcare, the Family Information Service (FIS) does not hold lists of people who offer this form of childcare. However, we do hold lists of registered childminders and some childminders may be willing to do some evening or weekend babysitting. Parents may also wish to find a babysitter by asking a friend or a relative with children for a recommendation or by looking in the Yellow Pages, contacting a nanny agency or searching the web. If you use a babysitting agency, it is important that you are clear as to how they vet their sitters, for example, do they interview and take up references and do they complete a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) (formerly CRB) check? Further information about when to use a babysitter and practical considerations are in section 6 of this pack. 2

6 Childminders Childminders get paid to look after children for more than two hours per day in the childminder s own home, although they can care for children in another premises if they look after children from more than two families. Parents drop off and pick up their children from the childminder s home at an agreed time. Childminders are self-employed and must be registered with the Ofsted if they look after children under 8 years of age. This means they are inspected and have had an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before they start childminding. Childminders who look after children 8 years and over can choose to register with Ofsted, on their voluntary register. To find out more about childminders in your area, contact the Family Information Service on We keep records of all registered minders in the Borough and produce regularly updated lists of childminders with vacancies. You can also contact the Wandsworth Childminders Association on who may be able to refer you to childminders ready to babysit in your home. 3

7 2. What are At-Home Childcarers duties, pay and conditions? Home-based childcarers/nanny duties Duties include providing a safe, loving environment for a child and developing a child s physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs. Duties may focus around personal hygiene such as changing nappies and washing hands; organising appropriate play activities and outings for children e.g. taking them to parks, libraries, Leisure Centres, Parent and Toddler groups, babysitting (by arrangement with family); and informing parents/carers of their children s development and needs. Daily Nanny A daily nanny will be expected to come to your home to care for your children. Live in Nanny A live-in Nanny would expect meals and their own room in addition to their salary. It is important to remember a live-in nanny lives within a family unit. This may be intrusive to some people. Nanny Share This is where two families share the same nanny. It can be a more cost-effective form of nannying. If three or more families want to share a nanny then the nanny must register with Ofsted as a 4

8 childminder. For more information call Ofsted s enquiry number on Hours nannies work Nannies are a flexible form of childcare. They can work flexible hours to fit in with parents working hours. It is important to ensure hours are reasonable and clearly explained before the nanny starts work with your children. Many nannies are happy to work part-time. They often take children to school, preschool, swimming and other activities. There are also a number of agencies that can help you find a nanny share. Costs of home-based childcare The cost of nannies will depend on the area you live in. You could pay anything from 340 to 500 per week (live out nanny) and (live in nanny) including income tax and National Insurance (NI). A nanny share can be a cheaper option. Employing a nanny means you are responsible not only for paying their salary, but also for the deduction of income tax and (NI) contributions. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) operate an Employers Helpline on for friendly advice on tax and NI. 5

9 The national minimum wage is currently set at: Main (adult) rate for workers aged 21 years and over per hour Development rate for workers aged 18 to 20 years per hour. For more information about the minimum wage or to order free guidance, please telephone the Pay and Work Rights helpline on Childminders however, are self-employed and set their own hours and costs. They usually charge between 4 and 10 per hour. There may be reductions if you need care for a full week or if you have more than one child attending. Tax Credits Tax credits are available from HMRC to support families with children and working people on low income. They are available to increase the income of families and to assist with paying for childcare. How much tax credit is received depends on income. The receipt of tax credits does not affect child benefit payments as these are paid separately. If you want to claim tax credits to help pay for childcare you must use registered childcare e.g. a nanny registered with Ofsted s Voluntary Childcare Register, a childminder or a daycare setting. For 6

10 more information call the Tax Credits helpline or go to the HMRC website 7

11 3. Are Home-Based Childcarers Regulated? The government regulates childminders under the Children s Act To obtain registration childminders have to meet standards set by Ofsted Ofsted inspect all childminders on a regular basis. At the end of the inspection Ofsted will judge the quality of provision. Parents can ask to see the inspection report and the grades awarded, or view it on the Ofsted website However, the government does not regulate nannies, so it is important parents follow good procedures when employing them. Nannies can join a voluntary registration scheme with Ofsted. As well as providing minimum guarantees of standards, using Ofsted registered nannies also allows parents to claim tax credits or childcare vouchers provided by an employer. 8

12 Voluntary part of the childcare register 1 The Childcare Act 2006 introduced a Childcare Register with two parts - a compulsory and a voluntary part. The voluntary part of the register commenced in April People may choose to join the voluntary register if they are caring for children: Aged 0 to 18 years in the home of one of the children Aged eight to 18 years Aged 0 to under 8 in provision that is exempt from compulsory registration e.g. sports coaching. When you apply for registration online 2, Ofsted acknowledges receipt of the application and issues an invoice for the application fee and DBS disclosure fee (if applicable). You must pay this fee within four weeks of the invoice date. If Ofsted does not receive payment within this time frame they will not process the application further and will close the application and issue a letter confirming they have done so

13 Fees for registration The Government sets fees for the voluntary registration of childcare providers. The current application fee is: 35 for childminders and home childcarers 35 for childcare providers on non-domestic or domestic premises who operate for less than three hours per day, or less than five days per week, or less than 45 weeks a year 220 for childcare providers on non-domestic or domestic premises who operate for: three or more hours per day; five or more days per week; and 45 or more weeks per year. The current Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure fee for other childcare is: 26 for a standard check 44 for an enhanced check All Ofsted s DBS checks are now processed by Capita. All DBS applications and payments must be made online, via Capita s website. Ofsted can no longer accept paper applications for DBS checks and any received will be returned. The government no longer pays for DBS checks for early years childcare. If you need a DBS 10

14 certificate as part of your Ofsted application, you will cover the cost of approximately 50, including Capita s handling fee. For more information please see Ofsted s website In addition to the initial application fee, providers must also pay an annual fee for continued registration on Childcare Register. The government will set the amount of this fee each year and Ofsted will send a request for payment when this is due. If a registration certificate is lost, damaged or destroyed you will need a replacement. The current fee for all providers for this service is 7. Please contact Ofsted on , if you wish to request a replacement certificate. For more information on the Voluntary Register please go to the Ofsted website Contact details for Ofsted Office for Standards in Education Piccadilly Gate Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: 11

15 Training and qualifications To be acceptable a course must contain: Principles of good practice in Child Protection Good health and safety practice Food hygiene First Aid Providing suitable activities for children of different ages An awareness of equal opportunity issues Below is a list of Induction courses whose content meets the qualification criteria for registration. Title Sublevel Awarding Body Name Introducing Childminding Induction CACHE Practice (Council for Awards in Care, Health & Education) Introduction to Playwork Induction Sprito Applicants who have lived abroad Any evidence you produce from countries other than Great Britain must be from a verifiable source and if necessary translated into English by an accredited translation agency, embassy or high commission. 12

16 However, due to the time it can take to verify the evidence the nanny/home-based childcarer may wish to consider attending an acceptable induction and /or first aid course in England. To assess a person s qualification contact the National Academic Recognition Information Centre for UK (NARIC) on or visit They provide information and advice on the comparability of overseas qualifications with those from the UK. Wandsworth Early Years Training Section The Wandsworth Early Years training section runs Introduction Into Childminding Practice (ICP) and First Aid Courses. The cost for Wandsworth borough residents differs from out of borough residents. For more information on courses please call Maternity & Nanny Training (MNT) MNT Training Ltd is an approved training company who run training for home-based childcarers. This scheme helps Nannies, Maternity Nurses and other home-based childcarers to become approved under the government s new Approval Scheme Ofsted Voluntary Childcare Register. The details are: MNT House, 13

17 Other training providers include: Pacey - the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years South Thames College British Red Cross 14

18 Benefits to parents of using registered childcare You know they have been checked and meet basic criteria set by Ofsted. This means they are suitable to care for children and have some understanding of their needs and what to do in an emergency. By using an approved home-based carer you may be able to access financial support through the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit or through employer-supported childcare e.g. childcare vouchers. 15

19 4. How do you find a home-based childcarer? You can find out more about home-based childcarers from Wandsworth s Family Information Service or the nanny agencies in your area (see section 7 for a list of some of these). You may also find it useful to buy local papers or specialist magazines such as The Lady. Interviewing an at-home childcarer This is your chance to avoid possible problems later, so don t allow lack of time to stop you from getting an accurate picture of each applicant. If necessary write down a list of questions you think are important before you meet them. Make sure you know the type of nanny you are looking for. If you are not sure what questions to ask, here is a list to get you started: 1. Ask them about their last job - how long they were there and why they left. 2. Ask to see their references and make sure they have phone numbers and addresses you can check. 3. Ask them about their training what subjects did they cover and how long did they study for? Make sure they have original certificates, not photocopies. 4. What level did they study to - Advanced, Ordinary, Foundation? 5. Have they worked with children of the same age as yours before? 16

20 6. Can they prepare simple, healthy food for the children and themselves? 7. Do they have any first aid training? If not would they be prepared to attend an evening training session if you could find one? 8. Do they swim? Would they be prepared to take your children swimming? 9. Do they drive? 10. Are they happy to read to the children? What kinds of books do they consider right for the age of your children? 11. If you considered a nanny share would they be happy to look after someone else s child for a few days a week? 12. Do they smoke? 13. Do they take drugs (medicinal or recreational)? 14. If they live-out how far away do they live and how long would it take them to get to you? If they came by tube or train, is there an alternative bus route if there is a strike? 15. Are they alert to possible dangers in the home? Describe a few hypothetical emergency situations and ask how they would deal with them. There are many more questions you can ask. The best thing to do is to sit down and draw up questions suitable to your needs and circumstances. 17

21 Job interviews are a two-way process. The nanny will be assessing you, your children and your home as much as you are assessing them. If they are professional and sensible they will probably have a number of questions for you. They may ask questions like: 1. Why did your last nanny leave? How long were they with you? 2. What hours will I have to work? 3. What happens in the case of illness? Do you pay sick pay? 4. Will you be paying my Income Tax and National Insurance? 5. Will I have sole charge of the children? 6. Will I be expected to do any cleaning, ironing or other housework? 7. Will you want me to babysit? 8. If I live-in, will I be able to invite friends, boy/girl friends round? 9. If I live out, will you pay my travel expenses? It is important the applicant meets your children. You can see how they interact with them. The children will be able to tell you what they feel about the applicant. Employing an at-home childcarer is an important responsibility as it is up to you to make sure the person can look after your children well. Being a 18

22 nanny is a skilled and demanding job. You can use a nanny agency or advertise for a nanny but always interview thoroughly and always CHECK ALL REFERENCES! References Checking references can be awkward and you may need to dig deep to get to the truth. So what can you ask to get the full picture? Tell me about so-and-so. What were they like as a nanny? What do you think they were particularly good/bad at? If you had to pick one thing they could have done better, what would it be? In which areas did you find them the least helpful? How would you describe their attendance? How punctual were they? Why did they leave you? Would you employ them again? 19

23 Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (formerly Criminal Records Bureau Checks (CRB) The government set up the CRB in 2002 to help organisations and employers make safe recruitment decisions, by providing access to criminal record information. The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) have now merged into the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). CRB checks are now called DBS checks. All home-based childcarers should have a DBS check. Contact details for the Disclosure and Barring Service: customerservices@dbs.gsi.gov.uk Telephone: A final note remember to be honest! There is no point pretending the job is going to be easy and that the applicant will get lots of time off and regular bonuses if this is not going to happen. If you are having problems recruiting a nanny, look at the salary you are offering them, as it could be too low for all their responsibilities. 20

24 5. How do I become an Employer? Tax and National Insurance Contributions A nanny cannot be self-employed, so by employing one you will become responsible for their income and National Insurance contributions. You will need to keep a record of all your payments and deductions. There are two different ways of paying tax and NI: (a) PAYE (b) Simplified Deductions Scheme Which of these applies depends on how much your nanny earns. You are more likely to use the Simplified Deduction Scheme if you are employing a live-in nanny and their taxable pay is not more than 160 per week gross. If you are sharing a nanny with another family both employers should write to HM Revenue & Customs confirming details of the nanny s working hours and pay and they can then work out your tax and NI contributions for you. You will need to register with the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Office in your local area. They will also advise you on sickness and maternity leave. 21

25 For more advice, call the HMRC Employers Helpline You can also contact NANNYTAX ( ), one of the UK s leading payroll services for parents who employ a nanny on Nannytax offers a service that takes care of all PAYE obligations. A company called THE NANNY PAYROLL SERVICE is another payroll service, specially designed for employers of nannies and other domestic staff. It provides everything needed to meet HMRC requirements for the calculation and payment of income tax and National Insurance. The telephone number for this service is or nicola@thepayrollcompany.co.uk 22

26 Public Liability Insurance Home childcarers must have public liability insurance. The purpose of the liability insurance is to cover any sickness or injury claims an employee may bring against you. Most big insurance companies can provide this. Morton Michel Insurers have been experts in childcare insurance for over 30 years and their childcarer policy is widely recommended by nanny agencies nationwide. Their details are as follows: Morton Michel Childcare Insurance Specialist Alhambra House 9 St Michael s Road Croydon CR9 3DD Telephone: Other insurance provides include: Nannyinsure insurance for professional nannies Pacey - the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years 23

27 Contracts Legally, as an employer you must provide a contract before employment starts or within the first 8 weeks that your at-home childcarer starts working with you. This should include starting date, wages, holidays, sickness, duties and insurance. Both you and your athome childcarer should sign the contract and keep a copy. Make sure there is a confidentiality section in your contract and explain to them that anything that happens in your household is confidential and should not be discussed elsewhere. Holidays Full-time nannies are entitled to 4 weeks paid annual leave each year. In the first or final year of service the employee will be entitled to holidays based how much of the year they have worked. Part-time Nannies holiday will be worked out the same way. Establish the house rules You may find it embarrassing to discuss house rules with your nanny, but it is important to have a common understanding of what is and what is not acceptable in your home from day one. You ll get the best from your nanny if they don t feel they hold secondary status in your home but they need to respect how things get done in your household. Set out your expectations from day one and agree in advance 24

28 when and how often you will review how things are going. You then have a framework for tackling any issues as they arise and nipping them in the bud. Useful websites include Nannytax PAYE for nannies 25

29 Summary of the terms of registration Applies to this category Could apply to this category Registered with Ofsted Has a criminal records bureau disclosure Has a medical check Registered Nannies and home-based childcarers Registered Childminder Nannies and home-based childcarers Registered over 7s childminder Over 7s childminder Has their home inspected Works in their own home

30 Works in the family home Has public liability insurance Has first aid training Has a qualification or has attended an induction course Allowed to look after a baby Allowed to look after children over 7 Usually looks after children Registered Nannies and home-based childcarers Registered Childminder Nannies and home-based childcarers Registered over 7s childminder Over 7s childminder 27

31 from more than one family Is usually an employee Is usually selfemployed Registered Nannies and home-based childcarers Registered Childminder Nannies and home-based childcarers Registered over 7s childminder Over 7s childminder 28

32 6. Leaving children home alone There is no law which states the minimum age that a child can be left alone but it is an offence to leave a child alone when doing so puts the child at risk and you could face prosecution for neglect if they come to harm. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) recommend that most children under 13 should not be left for more than a short period and that no child under 16 should be left overnight. They suggest that parents consider the following before deciding to leave a child alone: The age of the child The child s level of maturity and understanding The place where the child will be left How long the child will be left alone and how often Whether or not there are any other children in the household As parent, you are probably the best judge whether your child is old enough at 13 and to use your common sense about whether to leave them alone. If using a babysitter, especially if you do not know them, the NSPCC and the Royal Society for the

33 Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) recommend that babysitters should be over 16 years of age and that parents ask for at least two references and contact the referees themselves. RoSPA also suggest that parents think through all possible eventualities before leaving their child with a babysitter and conduct a risk assessment as the babysitter may be unfamiliar with your home, local area or where to go for help if they need it. Further advice on good practices when leaving children with a babysitter can be obtained by looking at or (search for babysitting) or by ringing the NSPCC helpline on

34 7. List of Nanny Agencies and Useful Contacts Below is a list of Nanny Agencies you can use in Wandsworth. For more agencies do a website search: Abbeville Nannies Tel: info@abbevillenannies.co.uk After School Nannies (specialists in after school and holiday care) Tel: elizabeth@afterschoolnannies.com Childhood Nannies Tel: Cocoon UK (specialists in helping new mothers/mothers with postnatal depression) Tel: louise@cocoon.uk.com Gwendolen House Childcare Tel: enquiries@ghchildcare.com 31

35 Hullabaloo Kids Tel: Nannies Unlimited Tel: NappyValleyNET - The Mums Guide to South West London Life Tinies Childcare Tel: You may also want to contact Simply Childcare at 16 Bushey Hill Road, London, SE5 8QJ, info@simplychildcare.com or telephone They have nannies and organise nanny shares, as well as registered childminders, mother s help, babysitters or au pairs. You can also find nannies, nanny shares and babysitters at 32

36 List of Useful Contacts in alphabetical order: Council for Awards in Care, Health & Education (CACHE) Disclosure and Barring Service HM Revenue and Custom s Employer s Helpline Maternity & Nanny Training (MNT) Morton Michel Insurance Services Nannytax NappyValleyNET - The Mums Guide to South West London Life Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) Tax Credits Helpline The Nanny Payroll Service

37 The Wandsworth Family Information Service has compiled this information pack. Please contact us for: Registered childcare where to find childminders, day nurseries, out of school care, pre-schools and nursery schools information Balancing home and work with family life Activities to do with your child Support for parents with disabled children Parent and toddler groups telephone : text us on : (text FIS at the beginning of your message) 34