Currently the checks are obtained free through organisations such as Capita, which then claim the money back from the DfE. Some umbrella organisations handle the checks for larger providers for a fee.
Under the new arrangement employers and employees will have to pay £26 for a standard check, and £44 for an enhanced check, in order to be registered with Ofsted, and to be employed in a registered childcare setting.
The Government says this brings the early years sector into line with the school and social care sectors which do not benefit from a subsidy.
However, it emphasises that there will be a long-term cost saving with the introduction of transferable checks. By subscribing to a new Update system, employees will only have to apply once to the DBS for a certificate which can then be updated and viewed online as they move jobs.
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