An organisation you’ll often hear about in the childcare industry is Ofsted. Nannies are able to register with Ofsted, and families look to hire Ofsted registered nannies. But what does this mean, and what are the advantages of hiring an Ofsted registered nanny? This guide shows you how to become Ofsted registered as a nanny.
What is Ofsted?
Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. Ofsted conducts inspections of state run schools in the United Kingdom, and provides information to the families and teachers as to the status and standards of each school. In the private sector, childcare providers caring for children up to the age of 8 must register with Ofsted and be on the Compulsory Childcare Register (CCR). It’s not compulsory to be registered with Ofsted as a private nanny, but you should understand how to become Ofted registered in case you need to do so for a job opportunity.
What are the Advantages of Hiring an Ofsted Registered Nanny?
Are you an Ofsted registered nanny? Let us know! #ofsted #nanny Click To TweetThere are a few advantages of hiring an Ofsted Registered Nanny. Firstly, it provides you peace of mind that your nanny has the required paperwork, including a DBS check, first aid qualification and insurance. Without these documents, your nanny cannot join or renew their membership to Ofsted. Secondly, in the UK the government provides certain vouchers and tax relief options to pay a nanny if they are employed correctly, so this can help with budgeting for childcare.
How to Become Ofsted Registered
There are four mandatory things you’ll need to register and renew with Ofsted:
- Common Core Skills and Knowledge in Childcare – typically this is applicable for entry-level nannies and childcarers. There are lots of great organisations around the country offering one-day courses, and we recommend this training provider.
- Paediatric First Aid – a vital skill for caring for any child. A great course provider of first aid can be found here.
- DBS check – previously known as a CRB, this is a document which completes an enhanced background check to ensure that there is nothing preventing you from working with children or vulnerable people. You can apply for an enhanced DBS you can do that here.
- Public Liability Insurance – insurance is important in case anything happens to a child in your care. You should pick your insurance provider carefully. A good list to review can be found here.
Associated Costs:
Ofsted Registration/Renewal: £105 a year
Common Core Skills: Between £60-160, depending on the provider
Paediatric First Aid: Between £80-120 – the certificate is valid for 3 years and should be refreshed accordingly
DBS: £70-80, depending on the service – make sure it’s an enhanced check
Public Liability Insurance: Between £60-100, depending on policy and level of cover
How to Register with Ofsted
1. Apply directly with the government – they provide an online application process here and here.
2. An application will be posted to you. Contact Ofsted via email at [email protected], or call them on 0300 123 1231.
3. Allow around 12 weeks for your registration to come through.
If you need more advice on how to become Ofsted registered, or how to hire an Ofsted registered nanny we’d love to hear from you, so why not drop us a line today?