REC Childcare Meets with the Department for Education to Discuss the Ofsted Voluntary Register for Nannies.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation has met with the Department for Education to discuss potential changes to the Ofsted voluntary register for Nannies. 

 

The DfE has recently placed the register under review, examining its operations and processes with the aim of driving up standards and maintaining parent confidence. 

 

Commenting on this, Ed McRandal, Policy Advisor at the REC said:

 

“Time after time, the Ofsted voluntary register has proved inadequate.  Not only have Nannies been Ofsted approved without the required skills and experience, but there is a false perception amongst parents that these checks are robust.

 

“Steps must be taken to ensure that there are regular inspections, expired documents can no longer be used to prove accreditation and responsibility within the system is clearly defined.  We welcome the fact that the Department for Education is looking at these processes and is committed to improving the current system”.  

 

He added:

 

 “The REC will continue to work with the DfE and the Childcare sector to help ensure that this important issue is resolved.”  

 

Also commenting Helen Honour, project lead for the Department for Education said:

"The DfE is in discussion with organisations representing the interests of childcare providers, parents and children to explore options to simplify the regulatory arrangements for the childcare industry in order to reduce burdens on providers, while retaining the right safeguards to reassure parents. This work will respond to the recommendations of the Education Select Committee on the Voluntary Childcare Register."