The campaign for a national nanny register gathered pace last week, with the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children firmly committing itself to lobby for such a measure (see News, pages 4-5). The NSPCC is a heavyweight organisation with well-placed contacts and a track record in this area - winning significant changes in protection of children in sport, for example. Ofsted, too, does not seem averse to taking on the registration and inspection of nannies to add to its existing responsibility for childminders. The old excuse that it would be impossible to keep tabs on nannies who move around the country has gone now that Ofsted has set up its central database of registered childminders to replace the system of re-registering under different local social services.
The campaign for a national nanny register gathered pace last week, with the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children firmly committing itself to lobby for such a measure (see News, pages 4-5). The NSPCC is a heavyweight organisation with well-placed contacts and a track record in this area - winning significant changes in protection of children in sport, for example.
Ofsted, too, does not seem averse to taking on the registration and inspection of nannies to add to its existing responsibility for childminders. The old excuse that it would be impossible to keep tabs on nannies who move around the country has gone now that Ofsted has set up its central database of registered childminders to replace the system of re-registering under different local social services.
A national register of nannies would also mean that parents could claim childcare tax credit. This is much needed because, as can be seen in our exclusive salary survey in next week's Professional Nanny, free with Nursery World, nannies' pay has risen to such an extent that many parents can no longer afford a full-time nanny. Don't miss this essential annual feature!
