Informal Care Information

What is informal childcare?

Informal childcare is childcare which is provided by childcarers who are not registered with the Office for Standards in Education (OfSTED) and  have not undergone a CRB police clearance check.  It can include nannies, babysitters, family and friends and au pairs working in the parent's/carer's home.

Parents using informal or 'unregistered' childcare are not able to claim the childcare element of working tax credit nor can they access employer supported childcare in the form of childcare vouchers, which are paid directly to the childcare providers.  The informal childcarer (not a family member) can apply to register on the voluntary part of the Ofsted register.

Please note: Any person rewarded for looking after children under eight for more than two hours a day must register with Ofsted. Those working in their own homes must register as childminders, while those working on non-domestic premises must register as day-care providers.

Where care is provided at any time (day or night) for children under the age of 8 on non-domestic premises for a total of more than two hours in one day, the provider must register with Ofsted as daycare providers.

If you are not sure whether you need to register, you can ring Ofsted’s helpline on 08456 404040 for more information.

Playgroups not registered with OfSTED:
Playgroups which are not registered with OfSTED are open for less than two hours at any one time. These playgroups do not have to meet the National Standards for Under Eights Day Care and Childminding.   Therefore we cannot be sure of the quality of care which the children will receive.

If you are currently running or working in a playgroup that is not registered with OfSTED why not contact your local early years development team who will work with you to enable you to meet the National Standards.  Once you are registered with OfSTED you may be able to access funding to help you develop and extend your playgroup.