Editor's view

Employers of nannies were surprised this month by press reports suggesting that they could now claim the childcare tax credit - only to have their hopes dashed and the reports fudged as it became clear the Inland Revenue was still only allowing tax breaks for 'home childcarers', that strange invention of a registered childminder who goes to work in someone else's home (has anyone actually seen one yet?). But the issue of registration keeps knocking at the Government's door. When a register is finally set up, it will revolutionise not only parents' finances, but the haphazard way they go about checking up (or not) on a nanny's past jobs, as highlighted in our news items on page 4. Many politicians must have relied on nannies to care for their own children, so why does the Government want to keep nannies as the one unregulated, unsubsidised, casual section of the childcare workforce? Meanwhile, settle down in front of the telly or a good book, with a hot dish and your Christmas shopping list, all in this issue. After the holidays it's time to take a fresh look at what nannies are earning, in our eagerly-awaited annual pay survey. See you in January!