Asquith launches combined nanny/nursery service

The service was created by Andy Morris, chief executive of the nursery group, who has identified, ‘a gap at the top end of the childcare market for well-off parents who need all the hassles and challenges of childcare provision removed completely.’

He added, ‘Parents want professionally qualified, trustworthy nannies - but they also need their child to benefit from vital social interaction and early years learning facilities that can only be provided by a high quality nursery. Now, for the first time in the UK there is a ‘one stop’ childcare solution that satisfies all those requirements.

'Every nanny employed by Asquith Nannies is comprehensively vetted, checked and fully trained to exacting standard within our nationwide, 79 nursery-strong group.'

Every nanny will be CRB checked and Ofsted registered as well as holding an NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent childcare qualifications, paediatric first aid training, child protection and safeguarding training. They will also have to complete a basic food hygiene course.

Parents are then able to work with Asquith to create a bespoke package that blends the services of the nanny with nursery sessions at Asquith day nurseries. This means that children will have the benefits of a nanny alongside the social interactions that nurseries provide.

The scheme has been introduced in order to reduce the amount of work for parents.

Martin Hinchliffe, managing director, at Asquith Nannies said, ‘Our nannies will all be employed directly by us – removing additional hassle from the parent. HMRC has initiated a crackdown on widespread "under the radar" cash payments made to nannies. Plus the government is also enforcing new pension contribution rules. Under our solution parents can now forget all these clerical and statutory issues.’

South Hampstead-based mother of two Kalpa Marchese said, ‘I’ve had nannies before and there are always challenges - holidays and illness to sort out, paperwork etc. Now those problems will no longer exist with the innovative Asquith scheme. Home isn’t always the best for small children all the time. They need the interaction with other children and adults that a nursery gives. So this nanny/nursery blend is ideal.’

The service is currently only available to parents in London, but could expand to the rest of the UK depending on its success.  

According to Asquith, the London childcare market alone is estimated to be worth £1 billion a year with around 15 per cent of households with young children in Kensington and Chelsea using nannies or au pairs.