Voluntary Register

From 16 April, nannies and over-7s childminders will be able to apply to join the voluntary part of the Ofsted Childcare Register.

Ofsted has sent a letter to every childcarer in England outlining the introduction of the new, voluntary part of the Ofsted Childcare Register (OCR) which relates to childcarers who are not required by law to be registered.

The introduction of the voluntary part of the Ofsted Childcare Register is the first step towards further changes in September 2008, when two further registers will be introduced, covering those childcarers legally required to be registered.

If you are a registered childminder you do not have to join the voluntary part of the OCR and pay the £100 fee. You can choose to join the voluntary part of the register, but this is a personal decision and in no way compulsory.

Instead, in September 2008, you will automatically be transferred on to:

• the Early Years Register, a compulsory register for those legally required to register who are caring for children aged from birth to 5 and delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage; and

• the compulsory part of the Ofsted Childcare Register, which will be obligatory for people caring for children from 5- to 7-years old and who are legally required to register.

You don't need to do anything at this time.

If you are a nanny or over-7s childminder (who only cares for children aged 8 and over), from 16 April you will be able to apply to join the new voluntary part of the Ofsted Childcare Register.

This voluntary part of the register replaces the previous Childcare Approval Scheme, run by Nestor, which previously allowed over-7s childminders and nannies to become "approved". This approval allowed eligible parents to claim the childcare element of Working Tax Credit, and gave the approved childcarer a way of demonstrating their commitment to their career. Registration on the voluntary Childcare Register will provide the same benefits.

Like the previous Childcare Approval Scheme, there is a joining fee which is £100.

If you were previously approved by the Childcare Approval Scheme your approval will continue until it expires (one year after you received it) after which you can choose to join the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. Between April 2007 and September 2007, you can apply to either the Childcare Approval Scheme or the voluntary part of the Ofsted Childcare Register.

NCMA Information May 2007

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