Nursery World - Editor's view (118)

For years, Nursery World has campaigned for the registration of nannies, both for the safety of children and the quality of their care and so that parents can qualify for tax credits to help pay for childcare. So the Government's move this week to widen the types of childcare for which families can receive financial help, including nannies, are a vindication of what this magazine and many in the childcare sector have argued for so long (see News, page 4).

So the Government's move this week to widen the types of childcare for which families can receive financial help, including nannies, are a vindication of what this magazine and many in the childcare sector have argued for so long (see News, page 4).

The proposed extension of tax credits to parents using nannies and to those using childminders and out-of-school clubs caring for seven- to 15-year-olds is, of course, very welcome.

There are concerns, however, about the 'light touch' regulation that will cover these forms of childcare and about who will oversee it. For the first time, nannies will be required to have to undertaken a small amount of training, have a first aid certificate and undergo a criminal records check.

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