Non-registered childcare

Please note that you cannot use any Early Education and Childcare Entitlement Funding for non-registered childcare providers.

Nannies are employed by parents/carers to care for the children in the child's home. They can be suitable for parents/carers who need flexible childcare, who have a large family or a child with additional needs.

Registration

Nannies are not required to register with Ofsted in England. However to encourage quality of care, they can join the voluntary Ofsted register.

Although many do have nursery nurse or childcare training, nannies do not need to hold qualifications. Parents are responsible for interviewing and checking the registration and all relevant references of nannies.

Paying for a nanny

The cost of employing a nanny will vary depending on whether the nanny lives in or out of your home, how many hours they work and any other duties. As their employer, parents/carers are responsible for paying their tax and national insurance contributions.

Nannies who are on the voluntary Ofsted register can be paid using the childcare element of Working Tax Credit.

Finding a nanny

Is it always advisable to employ a nanny that has come through a nanny agency. However, you will have to pay for an agency fee when you employ the nanny. If you wish to recruit a nanny yourself, further information and advice can be found by visiting the following websites:

• https://www.tinies.com/nanny-babysitter/
• https://www.gov.uk/au-pairs-employment-law
• https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a541397/legal-responsibilities-of-employing-a-nanny
  

Many parents and carers use family and friends to care for their children. 

Registration and payment

A family member or friend may be able to care for a child or children for some or all of the time and may be for many reasons including cost.

A family member or friend may be allowed to care for a child in their own home or the child's home without registering with Ofsted if - no money or payment changes hands AND is is for 2 hours or less per day and some payment is made.

Ofsted defines payment as a 'payment of money or money's worth' but does not include the provision of goods or services; it means payment for or towards the costs involved in the childcare, such as contributions to heating and lighting, or paying for food or repairs to the place where the childminding is happening.

For more information or if you are not sure if you are not sure whether you should register or not, please contact Ofsted on 0300 123 1231 or contact Ofsted via email - enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

Responsibilities

As with registered and non-registered childcare, talking about your requirements, responsibilities and specifics like diet, equipment, activities and routines at the beginning can really help. 

You may wish to work towards an agreement or checklist to ensure that everyone involved are aware of what is required and what each other’s responsibilities are.