What does the Scheme do for me?

What the scheme does

1. It verifies that the individual has a suitable childcare qualification.
2. It verifies that the applicant has undergone appropriate first aid training within three years prior to the date of application.
3. It carries out an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure (CRB check) including a POCA (Protection of Children Act) list check. The Childcare Approval Body will then assess whether the CRB check or entries on the POCA list contain information which would make the applicant unsuitable to work with children.

The scheme is voluntary and applies only to childcare provided in England.

What the scheme does not do.

1. It does not verify whether the childcarer is eligible to work in the UK.
2. It does not clarify the age group they are suitable to work with.
3. It doesn´t guarantee that parents using an approved childcarer are entitled to financial support either via working tax credit or employer supported childcare.
4. It doesn´t remove the parent´s responsibility to make sure that childcarers are individually suitable to look after their children.

How do I find out more?

The helpline 0845 7678 111 (calls are charged at the local rate or higher from a mobile or public phone) and website www.surestart.gov.uk/childcareapproval

To protect privacy, details of individual applications will be discussed with applicants only.

How long will approval be valid?

Approval will be valid for one year and as the scheme is self financing a fee of currently £96 will be payable which will include the cost of the CRB check plus VAT.

Will childcare be eligible for help within the childcare element of Working Tax Credits?

Childcare will not be qualifying care for the Working Tax Credit childcare element or through tax and NICs savings on employer supported childcare or childcare vouchers if that care is provided by:

• A relative of a child caring for that child in the child´s home even if the relative is registered or approved.
• A childcarer approved under the scheme who is caring for a child away from the child's home who is only caring for related children.

For more advice on the Working Tax Credit please contact Her Majesty´s Revenue and Customs Helpline on 0845 300 3900. www.hmrc.gov.uk

Can employers check whether a carer has been approved?

Before offering employment or applying for financial support an employer may wish to check that a carer is currently approved. They can do this through an interactive website. They will need the name and unique number shown on the approval letter plus the CRB identifier number. The information is known only to the carer and Approval Body.

The only information that will be given is whether the carer is approved or not.