In April last year the Government launched its Home Childcarer scheme to bring the UK's 70,000-plus registered childminders closer into the heart of its childcare strategy. It was also responding to demands for a recognition that some parents who worked shifts or had children with special needs required childcare in their own home. But with a total of only 67 home carers having registered so far, the scheme is far from being embraced by the childcare sector.
The trouble is that it doesn't go far enough, says the Professional Association of Nursery Nurses (PANN). Its complaint is that the scheme excludes the existing home workforce of nannies and fails to take into account their skills and experience. As it stands, there is no compelling reason for nannies to sign up.
In order to qualify as a Home Childcarer a nanny must first register as a childminder on domestic premises, be approved by Ofsted and meet the standards set out in the Government's code of practice. There is some confusion as to whose premises are being approved - initially the home carer cannot be inspected in the child's home, but can fill in risk assessment forms about the child's home and eventually be inspected there.
Home carers must also complete the Home Childcarers Workbook, developed by the National Childminding Association, which provides a programme of activities to develop the level of skills required.
An initial start-up grant of around 300 is available to those registering as a childminder, to spend on toys and equipment, but this is not in itself part of the Home Childcarers scheme. Having been approved, a home carer can work for as many employers as he or she likes without having to register again, but will not be entitled to more funds for a new situation.
A key benefit for parents - and what really may have driven the creation of the scheme - is parents' entitlement to claim the childcare element of working tax credit when employing a Home Childcarer. This could subsidise some parents for up to 70 per cent of their eligible childcare costs.
But where the scheme diverges from registered childminding is that all those working within the scheme have to become employees - as nannies are - rather than being self-employed. A home carer may continue to work as a registered childminder, but not at the same time - which means not at the same place.
At PANN, professional officer Tricia Pritchard believes that the scheme is merely frustrating, because it fails to put nannies into the equation.
She says, 'In principle it is good that the Government has recognised that people need childcare in their own homes and in a way that delivers quality care, greater flexibility and the ability to claim for tax credits. We have also long been asking for regulation of nannies to combat bad practice and provide greater protection for children. However, this scheme excludes nannies totally. It is like asking a clinically trained nurse to register as an auxilliary - and is clearly something that nannies do not want to do.'
At the National Childminding Association, (NCMA), chief executive Gill Haynes says it is disappointing that more home carers have not registered so far, and that the scheme has not been more widely promoted, but she believes it is still early days.
'With stronger promotion and the ironing out of some of the technical difficulties, the scheme could become popular,' says Ms Haynes. 'One of the issues that has held its promotion back has been the fact that the Government has confirmed it wants to consult on extending it. Information has been made availabe through local social services, but grey areas - especially those to do with the carer's employment status - remain.'
She emphasises that local councils' Children's Information Services have been charged by the Department for Education and Skills with the task of promoting the scheme. Information packs are available from local Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership offices. In addition to this, she says, anyone who has specific issues can ring the NCMA helpline and be talked through the scheme.
Although the NCMA is quick to point to strong examples of how the Home Childcarers scheme is currently boosting the quality of life for some parents and children, PANN's Tricia Pritchard believes that it must be expanded to become workable.
'Until the Government recognises the workforce out there already doing the job,' she says, 'the scheme will be a sham rather than a commitment.'
The National Childminding Association can be contacted at 020 8464 6164 or see its website at www.ncma.org.uk.
