Nanny agencies in Scotland

Nanny agencies in Scotland employing more than three full-time staff will have to pay more than 2,500 from the end of September to register with the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care. Agencies employing staff working a total of more than 120 hours a week will have to pay 2,559, plus a 2,143 annual continuation fee, while those with fewer than three full-time staff will pay 1,059, plus a 642 annual continuation fee. Carol Edmundson, proprietor of the Glasgow Nanny Agency, said the fee levels were 'just ridiculous' and would be counterproductive, as agencies would have to pass on the costs to parents. She added that registration would be 'pointless all round' as the main intention of regulating nanny agencies was to enable parents employing their nannies to claim the childcare tax credit. The fees for registration of other childcare services have also been set. It will cost 16 to register a small daycare service, 146 for a large daycare service and 16 for childminding, with annual continuation fees of 13, 113 and 13 respectively.