How To Find A Safe And Reliable Childcare Provider
If you’re a parent looking to find a new childcare provider, you need to be 100% confident in the carer’s ability and honesty to care for your child.
Even if the childcare provider is highly recommended from friends or family, you still need to be completely sure.
This guide will share some useful tips on finding the ideal childcare provider, so you can get some peace of mind that they’re in safe hands when you’re not there.
Ask To See Registration Certificates and Insurance
When you first meet with the childcare provider you should ask to see their registration certificate. All childcare providers in England must register with Ofsted, and with the Care Inspectorate in Wales and Scotland.
You can also check to see whether the registration is valid and whether any complaints have been made against the provider by entering the registration into the Ofsted website.
You should also ask to see an insurance certificate that proves they are fully covered if anything happens to your child whilst in their care.
View Their DBS Certificate
A DBS check certificate shows that the childcare provider has had a full background check of their criminal record. Childcare workers all have to undergo an enhanced DBS check with barred list, so if they have ever been barred from working with children or have a criminal past that involves crimes against children, it will be highlighted.
To make sure it is a valid DBS certificate, check that it is dated within the past two years as most childcare providers should update it every 24 months.
The DBS certificate will show any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, warnings or reprimands that are on their criminal record.
Visit The Venue
It is recommended that you visit the childcare facilities to get a good idea of the environment. When you visit the setting, you can ask to see their registration and DBS check certificate if you haven’t already done so.
Ask To See Proof of Identity
Don’t be afraid to ask the staff at the childcare setting for their proof of identity, preferably two items – with at least one displaying a recent photograph and a proof of address. Cross-reference the details on the ID documents with those on the DBS certificate.
Don’t forget, we’re talking about the safety of your child here.. Any childcare provider will have no problem showing you these documents and will understand why you are asking for them.
If you have any doubts, you can also ask to see proof that the childcare provider or childcare staff are eligible to work in the UK. This is important, as the DBS check may not be valid if they are not permitted to work in the UK and the insurance may also be invalidated.
Check Qualifications
The only qualification that is expected of a childcare provider is a Children’s First Aid certificate. If they are running their own facility, you would also expect to see certificates in childcare training.
Check References
Finally, the last thing you should ask to see directly from the childcare provider is references. Most childcare providers will have documents prepared with references who you can contact, preferably by telephone rather than email so you can be more confident you’re talking to the right person. Some childcare providers may be able to give you full written reviews from past and present clients too.
Carry Out Your Own Preliminary Research
Before visiting the childcare provider’s facilities, you can find out a lot about them on the internet.
You may be able to find them on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Although this won’t give you too much information about their trustworthiness, you may be able to ascertain what their values and attitude are and whether they are likely to conduct themselves professionally.
Obviously, don’t rely on your own internet research entirely. You still need to see registration and DBS check certificates, but it can be a useful additional check.
To find out more about DBS checks and how they relate to childcare and childminding, contact us today.