Kate Farrington on the new approval scheme
Kate Farrington, 23 from Solihull, is one of the first nannies to be approved. Her employer found out about the approval scheme through Nannytax and then contacted Sure Start for more information. Sure Start also provided Kate with the application forms. “The forms where pretty straight-forward, and Nestor Primecare [the approvals body] contacted me about 10 days later to set up an appointment”, says Kate. “They were very helpful and explained exactly what I needed to bring to the meeting.” Kate also received a letter of confirmation in the post from Nestor, which again explained what was needed at the meeting.
Kate already has a professional childcare qualification and a valid paediatric first aid certificate. Even though she already had an enhanced CRB disclosure, Nestor requires that all applicants have another one done in order to become approved. Kate says it took about four weeks for the CRB check to come through. “All in all the process was very smooth. Everyone was very friendly and helpful.
Although Kate’s employer paid the £96 approval fee, Kate says that had she been unemployed and looking for a nanny position she would have still gone through the approval process and paid the £96 fee herself. “I think it’s a good idea”, she says, “It could make life easier for nannies when they are looking for a new job, as their new employer could immediately take advantage of the financial benefits of the scheme.”