Nannies are not required to be registered on the Ofsted Childcare Register (OCR). Registration is voluntary. However, families who employ an Ofsted registered nanny in England may be eligible for employer-supported childcare vouchers or working tax credits.

Nannies who wish to apply for registration need to do this themselves. Since the process can take up to 12 weeks (and sometimes longer if Ofsted has to obtain references from abroad), we recommend that nannies apply as soon as they accept an offer of employment or allow plenty of time when renewing. It can take less time if Ofsted already holds CRB checks on some or all of the people connected with the application.

Application can be made online at www.ofsted.gov.uk or by calling 08456 404045 to ask for an application form to complete.

Ofsted will write to the nanny confirming that they have received her/his application and the letter will include details on how to:

  • obtain an enhanced CRB disclosure through Ofsted, unless the nanny already holds a disclosure carried out by Ofsted within the past three years.
  • arrange a verification of the nanny’s identity, first aid qualification and any other information Ofsted needs at his/her local post office.
  • pay the non-refundable application fee
  • provide any further information Ofsted needs to decide on the nanny’s suitability to provide childcare.
  • Once Ofsted has received the nanny’s application and the fee, it will carry out checks on him/her and any others connected with the application. If the nanny has confirmed that he/she meets the relevant requirements, and Ofsted finds everyone associated with his/her registration is suitable to work or be in contact with children, it will register the applicant. Otherwise, it will refuse the registration.

In order to register with the Ofsted register, nannies needs to confirm that:

  • they are suitable to work with children and have training in the common core skills
  • they have a valid paediatric first aid certificate
  • they have public liability insurance
  • they have an enhanced CRB check. This will be done as part of the registration process

Ofsted registration is valid for 12 months and the application fee is £103 per year (as at November 2008). It includes an enhanced CRB disclosure.

Other fees associated with Ofsted registration are:

  • Pediatric first-aid certificate / approximately £120. For more information, please visit www.ncma.org.uk
  • Public liability insurance / between £70-£90 For more information, please feel free to contact Nannyinsure on 0845 226 7329 or visit www.nannyinsure.co.uk
  • CACHE Introduction to Childcare Practice (ICP) Course / approximately £220 (if the nanny doesn't hold any professional qualifications). For more information, please visit www.ncma.org.uk 

OFSTED registration benefits the parents financially as well as enhances a nanny’s qualifications. Therefore, because it benefits both parties, the cost is often split between a family and its nanny. Usually, parents pay for the registration cost and training course and nannies cover the cost of the first aid certificate and the public liability insurance. Please note that if parents pay for the registration, it is considered a benefit in kind and should be declared as such.

Scotland does not have any direct equivalent of the Ofsted register where parents must employ a nanny through a nanny or childcare agency registered with the Care Commission. Wales has a childcare approval scheme.