In order to have peace of mind regarding childcare we recommend the following:
a) Childcare in your own home1. Decide which type of childcare you require and write down a job description.
2. Arrange to meet the childcare worker together with a representative from the agency.
3. Conduct a thorough face-to-face interview with the Childcare worker and give several scenarios to find out what they would do if faced with different situations
4. It is advisable to arrange a second interview in order to see the childcare worker under a less pressured and more real environment.
5. Never offer the job on the first occasion.
6. If you have any doubts, you must seek to get issues clarified rather hiring someone you are not sure about.
7. Suitable references must be obtained before offering the job.
8. Once you have decided to hire a childcare worker, make sure the person reads and signs a job description.
9. Clarify the issue of TAX & NI liability and make sure the childcare worker understands who is liable. If the person is self-employed, you have no TAX & NI liability. If supplied under a Contract for services by the agency, the liability lies on the agency. If you choose to be the direct employer, you then have to account for the PAYE deductions.
10. If you opt to employ directly, you must check the worker’s eligibility to work in the UK as ignorance of the law is not excusable.
11. Always carry-out a through induction so that the childcare worker can understand how things should be done in your home.
12. If the childcare worker is lacking certain skills, for example interpersonal skills or even cooking that light meal for the children, you can arrange for him/her to be specifically trained at Renaissance Childcare Ltd.
13. The childcare worker can never be a replacement for parenthood, some dedicated time spent with the children where possible does wonders.
14. If the childcare worker is not good enough, please notify the agency immediately and try not to tell the children how you feel about the childcare worker because that is a recipe for further disaster.
15. United you will stand but divided you will fall- never show any division between you as parents and the childcare worker as this may allow the children to play on the division.
16. Devise a communication book with the childcare worker where they can write down key summaries about the children.
17. We recommend that you have regular (at least fortnightly) progress check meetings with the childcare worker.
18. Always make sure that the childcare worker has some childcare training which include; Basic Life Support/ Pediatric Life Support, Manual Handling, Basic Food Hygiene and Infection Control to name but a few.
19. The childcare worker must have a valid Enhanced CRB disclosure before commencing work and this must be updated annually.
b) Childcare away from home
1. Research the childcare facilities in your preferred area to find those which offer the best quality care and always arrange to visit them.
2. Ask to see the OFSTED inspection reports
3. Speak to other parents for feedback.
4. Calculate the cost of sending your children to a local nursery as compared to a private school as there is often very little difference unless you get help towards your childcare costs.
5. Allow sufficient time to speak to the childcare facility staff about your child’s progress, rather than just dropping off and picking up the child in a hurry every day. If the staff know that you care for your child, they will be more conscious.
6. If possible, do not collect your child late frequently as this may generate bad feelings amongst the staff.
7. Find out what measures the childcare providers have in place to safeguard children from being looked after by unsuitable persons.
(If in doubt about any aspect of childcare, please contact Renaissance Childcare for a free consultation.)
