Frequently asked questions

Read these FAQs in Welsh/Cymraeg

 

Some of the frequently asked questions are answered here. If you can't see the answer to your question, get in touch and we'll do our best to help you.

 

Complete the feedback form, or, if you're a member of NCMA, you can request a callback from our membership team.

 

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Childminders

 

Q. Do I have to be registered to be a childminder?
A. If you are planning to care for children under the age of 8 in your own home and the children aren’t your blood relatives, you are required by law to be registered and inspected by Ofsted in England, and the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) in Wales (Welsh speakers can visit http://www.aggcc.org.uk/.

 

Q. Is it expensive to get started as a registered childminder?
A. As a newly registered childminder in England or Wales, you will be able to apply for a grant to help cover the costs of setting-up your childminding business.

 

Q. How many children can I look after in my setting?
A. In England, Ofsted will set a number of children you can care for. The maximum is six children under 8 years old, of which usually no more than three may be under the age of 5, and of these, usually no more than one child may be under 1 year old (although Ofsted may grant an exception, for example, for brothers and sisters). These numbers will include your own children if you have any.

 

In Wales, the CSSIW will set the number of children you can care for. The maximum is six children under 8 years of age, of which usually no more that three may be under the age of 5, and of these, usually no more than two may be under 18 months of age (although CSSIW may grant an exception, for example, for brothers and sisters). These numbers will include your own children if you have any.

 

Q. Do I have to live in a big house to be a childminder?
A. You don’t need to have a big house and garden to become a childminder. You don’t even need to own your own home. The home you childmind from simply has to be suitable and safe for providing childcare, something that will be checked as part of the registration process.

 

Q. How much will I earn as a registered childminder?
A. Most childminders run their own business so it will be up to you to set your own fees. You will charge an hourly, daily or weekly fee for each childminding place that is used, so how much you earn depends on the number of children you look after and the number of hours you work. It is a good starting point to look at what other childminders are charging in your area. There is information about the fees charged by NCMA members here.

 

Q: Would a child be covered by my public liability insurance policy when going out in the car?

A: In the majority of incidents injury sustained by a driver or passenger while travelling in a vehicle will be the subject of indemnity under the policyholder’s motor insurance policy. This may involve a claim against a negligent third party if they were responsible for the accident. You should have made your motor insurer aware of your business. Therefore, the motor insurer would expect you to drive with minded children in the car and will have considered this when calculating the policy premium.

 

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Over-7s childminders

Q. Do I have to be registered?

A. Unlike registered childminders (who are usually self-employed and work in their own homes), over-7s childminders do not currently have to be registered or inspected.

 

However, you can choose, in England, to join the Ofsted Childcare Register or, in Wales, the Childcare Approval Scheme Wales. This will demonstrate to parents that you are committed to the caring for children in a home-based setting to the highest possible standards. It may also help parents gain financial benefits.


Q. Should I become a member of NCMA?

A. NCMA is the National Childminding Association of England and Wales. It is the leading organisation providing support to registered childminders and home-based childcarers in England and Wales.

 

If you're interested in becoming an NCMA over-7s member please call 0845 880 0044 or email info@ncma.org.uk.

 

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Nannies

 

Q. Do I have to be registered to work as a nanny?

A. Unlike registered childminders (who tend to be self-employed and work in their own homes), nannies do not currently have to be registered or inspected.

 

However, you can choose, in England, to join the Ofsted Childcare Register (external link) or, in Wales, the Childcare Approval Scheme Wales (external link). This will demonstrate to parents that you are committed to the caring for children in a home-based setting to the highest possible standards. It may also help parents gain financial benefits such as tax relief on childcare vouchers.  

 

Q. Should I become a member of NCMA?

A. Nannies can join NCMA for a range of professional benefits and support. Plus, membership shows parents that their nanny is committed to providing a quality, professional service. Find out more about NCMA Nanny membership here. If you're interested in becoming an NCMA Nanny please call 0845 880 0044 or email info@ncma.org.uk.

 

Q. Will I be expected to do household chores for other members of the family?

A. A nanny is not normally expected to do any household chores for other members of the household. However, there is no legal definition of a nanny’s roles and responsibilities, and the tasks of a nanny can vary depending on the family. It’s essential that your role and responsibilities are clearly defined before you start work. There's more information about nanny contracts here.

 

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Vetting and Barring Scheme

 

Q - I am thinking of becoming a registered childminder - do I need to register with the new scheme?

A - From July 2010 all new childminders and people working with vulnerable children or adults must be registered on the new scheme, if you have never had a CRB check the fee is £64. If you have had a CRB check before you will only need to pay the additional £28 fee.

 

Q - I employ an assistant or want to employ an assistant, do I have to pay for their VBS check now?

A - No, you are only responsible for checking they have a valid CRB or from July 2010 are on the VBS. It is the responsibility of the person wanting to work with children to get their own check done.  If a childminder employs and assistant and wants to pay for the check to be done before they start working with the children they can do so but they are not required to by law. From 12 October 2009, it will be an offense for anyone barred from working with children to seek employment for doing this, it is also an offence for employers not to check their status, so it is imperative that you double check any assistants that you employ to ensure they are accepted by the CRB system for working with children.

 

Q - Currently all members of my family have to be CRB checked, will I have to pay for them to be checked under the new scheme?

A - If any members of your family spend more than 28 consecutive days caring for children they must be registered under the new scheme. However, if they do not and voluntarily help out on the odd occasion, such as taking children to school or watching them for five minutes while you are out of the room they just need to be registered as volunteers. You do not need to pay for volunteers who work with children on an ad hoc basis but they must be registered.

 

Q - Can I put the fee for the VBS check down as a business expense?

A - Yes, this is a tax deductible fee.

 

Q - Will my Ofsted registration fee cover my VBS application?

A - If you currently hold a CRB check and need to renew your registration fee to Ofsted you will not be required to pay any further money. If you are a newly registering childminder, your Ofsted registration fee will continue to cover your CRB check. Ofsted has said that they have had no guidance on whether from July 2010 all new childcare registrations will have to pay for their VBS check separately. Currently the CRB check is covered under the registration fee and is subsidised by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

 

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More help for members

Don't forget that more help and information is available for members from NCMA on 0845 880 0044.