NCMA (the National Childminding Association of England and Wales) is urging nannies, and other currently unregistered childcarers, to seize opportunities offered by the Government’s new voluntary approval scheme due to be introduced next year in England. The call comes as the charity for home-based childcare launches a new membership package for nannies and enhances the membership package it offers to childminders who care only for children over the age of 7.

At present nannies don’t need to be registered or inspected in the same way as childminders or day nurseries. However, from April 2005, using an approved nanny will bring valuable financial benefits for many parents as they will be able to apply for the childcare element of Working Tax Credit and will receive tax benefits on childcare vouchers provided by their employers.

Gill Haynes OBE, Chief Executive of NCMA, explains the benefits of the new membership product: “By joining NCMA and signing up to its Quality Standards, nannies and over-7s childminders will be able to demonstrate to the families they support their commitment to providing quality home-based childcare for children. It will also mean they have access to the information and support they need to gain approval in time for April 2005.

“NCMA has been leading the way in promoting quality home-based childcare for the benefit of children, families and communities since 1977 and already speaks on behalf of the 75,000 registered childminders in England and Wales. We are delighted to have introduced a membership package specially tailored to the needs of nannies. It means we shall be providing nannies with the kind of information, professional support and access to specialist services we have been offering childminders for over 27 years.”

NCMA’s new membership package for nannies, which has been developed with advice from Alison Ellershaw, Director of Nannies at Work, includes: -
o an enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)
o tailored insurance packages, including public liability insurance
o support and advice on seeking childcare training
o two handbooks full of useful information
o a free legal advice service
o a risk assessment checklist
o a quarterly magazine
o the support and expertise of a national organisation

The total cost of NCMA membership (including the CRB’s £40 charge) is £120 a year. Families can claim the cost of seeking approval for a nanny or over-7s childminder as part of the childcare element of their Working Tax Credit. For more information on its membership packages, call NCMA’s Information Line on 0800 169 4486.

NCMA has also produced a free factsheet on the new tax rules, which is available from the downloads section of it website at www.ncma.org.uk.

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