FOR PARENTS

What is NCMA?
The National Childminding Association (NCMA) is the only national charity and membership organisation that speaks on behalf of registered and approved childminders and nannies in England and Wales. Visit www.ncma.org.uk for more information.

Who are NCMA members?
NCMA has almost 50,000 childcarer members in three categories of membership:

Registered childminders
The majority of NCMA’s members are registered childminders who work in their own homes looking after other people’s children. They are registered with (and regularly inspected by) Ofsted if they live in England, and the Care and Social Services Inspectorate if they live in Wales. All registered childminders must have introductory childcare training, first-aid training and public liability insurance. All registered childminders have had a CRB disclosure.

Over-7s childminders
Our over-7s childminders care solely for children aged 8 and over. They are not legally required to be registered, but may be approved under the Childcare Approval Scheme. From April 2007, over-7s childminders in England can join the Ofsted Childcare Register, a voluntary register for childcarers not legally required to be registered. All NCMA over-7s childminders have had a CRB disclosure.

Nannies
Our nanny members care for children in the children’s own home. They are not legally required to be registered, but may be approved under the Childcare Approval Scheme. From April 2007, nannies in England can join the Ofsted Childcare Register, a voluntary register for childcarers not legally required to be registered. All NCMA nannies have had a CRB disclosure.

NCMA aims to keep its members up-to-date with the latest childcare news, training, support and publications. All childcarer members of the Association also work towards NCMA’s 10 Quality Standards; professional guidelines covering all aspects of childcare, from safety to behaviour management.

If I have found a vacancy how do I contact the carer?
You will be asked to complete an online form that is then emailed directly to the carer, who will contact you.

How often is the site updated?
Childcarers are encouraged to update their own vacancies as soon as they become available or change.



FOR CHILDCARERS

What is care-4?
care-4 is the UK’s premier electronic voucher scheme that enables employers and employees to make savings when using registered or approved childcare. For more information about care-4, visit their website.

Which employers currently provide care-4 to their employees?
Some of the UK’s leading employers currently offer care-4 electronic childcare vouchers. These include BT, Tesco, HBOS, GSK, John Lewis and many more.

How will the parent contact me?
You will be sent an email with the parent’s contact details so that you can contact them directly at a convenient time for you.

Will my personal details be available online?
No. This is a secure site where all your information is kept confidential. Parents are given only details of your childcare service.

How long will my vacancies be retained for?
It is your responsibility to keep this information up-to-date within the site.

What if I don't have access to a computer to register?
Childcarers who don’t have access to the internet at home can access the Childcare Places website at an internet café or public library, or at a friend’s house. They can get their own free-of-charge email address from companies such as Hotmail (www.hotmail.com) and Yahoo (www.yahoo.co.uk/mail).

Why can't I register my details?
If you haven’t already registered your interest with NCMA, you will be unable to register with Childcare Places.
Please contact NCMA on 0845 880 0044 and they will update their records. This information will be provided to Childcare Places at the END of each week.
Childcare Places will upload your relevant details at the start of the following week so that you can register with us online.



Can’t find the answer to your question?

Please see our contact page for help on any questions you might have on this service.