Now Nanny's Personal Statement

The Aims of Now Nanny’s

Now Nanny’s aims to provide families with causal childcare services to allow a flexible childcare plan within the family’s day to day lives. We understand that a full-time nanny isn’t always needed, and the occasional childcare service might be more suitable to some families. We are here to provide just that, our services offer, flexible nanny’s which can be used for after school care, a one-off day care or during school holidays and babysitting evenings. We also offer event and wedding nanny’s; this is to provide families with peace of mind that their child is nearby and in a safe and fun environment ensuring parents enjoy the day.

Now Nanny’s will make the process of finding childcare for families easier, we aim to match families in need of flexible childcare with qualified and experienced nannies. Now Nanny's takes all the stress out of finding a suitable childcare provider, we will source, background check, communicate and pay the nannies on the family’s behalf, ensuring that the families get exactly what they need on the day, a reliable and experienced nanny. ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for children while offering support and peace of mind to parents.

The objectives of Now Nanny’s

Connecting qualified and experienced nannies with families in need of flexible childcare services.

Ensuring a high standard of care and professionalism in the nanny placements.

Providing support and resources to both nannies and families in navigating the employment relationship.

Conducting thorough background checks and screenings of potential nannies to ensure the safety of children.

Building long-term relationships with both nannies and families to create a trusted network for childcare services.

Keeping up to date with industry regulations and best practices in childcare.

Offering training and development opportunities for nannies to enhance their skills and expertise.

Providing personalized matching services to ensure the best possible fit between nannies and families' needs.

Ensuring open communication and transparency throughout the nanny placement process.

Upholding the agency's reputation for excellence and reliability in the community.

The organisational structure for Now Nanny’s

Jacquie Harbour

Owner and Manager of Now Nanny's
Former Nanny HNWI/ Family Personal assistant
Over 15-year experience within the childcare industry from nannying, kids camps and assisting running childcare companies.

Roles of Jacquie Harbour:

Owner: The individual who started the agency and is responsible for overall management and strategy.

Manager: Oversees the day-to-day operations of the agency, including client relations, nanny recruitment, and business development.

Responsible for sourcing, screening, and hiring qualified nannies.

Interacts with families seeking nanny services, understands their needs, and matches them with suitable nannies. Also responsible for handling feedback and addressing any issues that may arise.

Handle day-to-day administrative tasks such as scheduling, billing, payroll, and record-keeping.

Provides ongoing training, support, and resources to nannies to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their roles.

Promotes the agency's services, attracts new clients, and builds relationships with referral sources such as schools, community organizations, and parenting groups.

Role of Employed Nannies:

Provide childcare services to families, follow agency guidelines and protocols, and maintain professional relationships with both the agency and clients.

Now Nanny’s arrangements for registering a person as a provider

Shortlisted candidates (who will have applied with a CV and completed an application form) will then be requested to have a pre interview. The pre interview will be conducted by a face to face via video conferencing. If successful at this stage a face-to-face interview will be arranged.

Candidates must supply us with.

The contact details of at least two referees, one must be their previous employer and the other a childcare related position.
A current Enhanced DBS
Any certificates relevant to childcare
A copy of ID
A copy of driver’s licence (if applicable)
A copy of paediatric first aid certificate (not essential as this will be advised once employed)

Now Nanny's will conduct all relevant checks to ensure that the applicant meets certain criteria and standards.

Health Check: The Agency will provide all applicants with a Health Declaration Form which they must take to their GP for completion.
Enhanced DBS check: All applicants will be required to undergo an Enhanced DBS check prior to registration with the Agency.
Local Authority Checks: The Agency will liaise with each Local Authority that the applicant has lived in for the past five years to check that there are no causes for concern regarding them caring for children.
Known to Ofsted Check: The Agency will liaise with Ofsted to check whether the applicant is previously known to them.
Identity Check: The Agency will check the applicant’s identification as per the government’s online guidance prior to registration.
Other Checks: There may be further checks that the Agency must carry out to determine an applicant’s suitability. If the applicant has previously been registered as a childminder with another agency, the Agency must liaise with the previous agency to carry out further checks on their suitability as a childminder. If an applicant is not a British citizen or has lived in the UK for less than five years, they must provide a letter of good conduct from the appropriate Embassies. If they are not able to provide the relevant letters, the Agency must decide whether to register the applicant.

The successful candidate will be provided with a job offer in writing and a contract will be provided. New members of staff go through a full induction process provided by Now Nanny’s, safeguard training and will be put on a paediatric first aid course and food safety course (cost will be deducted from first wage package.)

Once the provider has passed the agency's registration process and accepted the job offer, their profile is created in the agency's database, usually including details such as availability, services offered, rates, and any specific preferences or requirements.

When a family contacts the agency looking for a nanny, the agency uses the information in the provider profiles to match them with suitable candidates based on the family's needs and preferences.

Overall, the registration process aims to ensure that the nanny agency can provide families with reliable, trustworthy, and qualified providers who can offer quality care for their children.

Now Nanny’s arrangements for training and monitoring registered providers

Now Nanny's has a full induction training course set up, the following aspects of childminding practice will be covered:

Child welfare and Safeguarding
Duties and responsibilities
Local area- what to do with the children
Equipment demonstration
Time sheets management

Now Nanny’s will require all nannies to complete a12 hour Paediatric First Aid course (in line with Annexe A in the EYFS), mandatory Safeguarding training (as detailed above) and a Food Hygiene course.

The Agency will ensure that all childminders’ mandatory training is kept up to date by sending reminders to nannies to renew their training when needed.

All Now Nanny’s will have to renew their safeguarding training annually, which Now Nanny’s will facilitate and deliver, and they will be asked to sign up for safeguarding updates from their local authority. Nanny’s will also need to renew their paediatric first aid training every three years and ensure they have signed up for the update service for their enhanced DBS.

Now Nanny’s will monitor their providers through various methods to ensure high-quality service and client satisfaction. We will do this by completing background checks and references prior placing any nanny with a family.

Whilst the registered nannies are on the books with Now Nanny’s we will ensure we gather client feedback, regarding the nanny's performance, professionalism, and interaction with the children under their care.

If need be, we will complete check-ins with both the nanny and the client to address any concerns, provide support, and ensure that expectations are being met.

Training will continuously be offered to all our nannies to ensure we are offering the best possible providers to our clients and to guarantee our nannies meet industry standards and regulations. By employing these monitoring methods, Now Nanny’s aim to maintain a high level of professionalism, quality service, and client satisfaction.

Now Nanny’s arrangements for ensuring its provision is of sufficient standard

Now Nanny’s will have robust arrangements in place to ensure that the provision of childcare services meets a high standard. Here are some key aspects of our arrangements:

We have clear policies and procedures outlining the expected standard of care provided by our nannies. We expect all our nannies to have childcare qualifications and or experience within the childcare industry, this information will be logged for each nanny employed. Throughout their employment with us we will offer additional training and courses to ensure our nannies are continuously improving their skills and knowledge to provide an exceptional standard.

Now Nannies will conduct thorough background checks on all nannies, including criminal record checks, reference checks, and verification of qualifications. This is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of children within their care.

All our nannies will be provided with the ongoing support and guidance to ensure they are meeting the required standards we excel to have within Now Nanny’s. This will happen through monthly catch ups, either in person or via video conference. Now Nanny's will also always be contactable via email and phone for any support required by the employed nannies.

Parents will be contacted regularly and encouraged to provide feedback on the service they receive and to raise any concerns or complaints they may have. Now Nanny's will always be contactable via phone or email. We will take any feedback seriously and take appropriate action to address any issues.

Now Nanny’s will comply with all relevant regulations and guidelines related to childcare provision. This includes adhering to ratios of children to caregivers, health and safety requirements, and any other legal obligations.

By having these arrangements in place, Now Nannies can ensure that the provision of childcare services is of a sufficient standard and provides peace of mind to both parents and nannies.

Now Nanny’s arrangements for communicating the outcome of quality assurance visits to the parents of children who are receiving registered childcare

Now Nanny’s have effective procedures in place for communicating the outcome of quality assurance visits to the parents of children who are receiving registered childcare. Here are some important aspects of their arrangements:

Should any findings or feedback from quality assurance visits arise they will be communicated to parents in a timely manner. This will help address any issues promptly and keep parents informed about the quality of care their children are receiving.

Now Nanny's have a feedback mechanism for parents to share their own thoughts and concerns about the childcare provided. Parents will be regularly contacted and encouraged to provide any feedback regarding nannies. This two-way communication can help ensure transparency and address any potential issues from both perspectives.

After any quality assurance visits, Now Nanny’s will provide written reports detailing the findings, any actions taken or to be taken, and recommendations for improvement. These reports will help parents understand the agency's commitment to quality and transparency.

We will also provide updates and follow-ups to parents on any actions taken following quality assurance visits. We stive to achieve trust with parents who use our agency and will keep them informed about improvements made so that they know we are committed to high-quality childcare.

Now Nanny’s are committed to upholding effective lines of communication with nannies and families. We welcome all clients to raise any concerns or issues that may arise directly with the Agency, which we will be happy to discuss. If any sensitive matters arise, these will be discussed confidentially over telephone. If anyone wishes to make a complaint against the Agency or one of its registered nannies, they may refer to the Now Nanny’s complaints policy.

Now Nanny’s complaints policy and procedure

Anyone who has a concern about a child’s welfare can raise a concern or a complaint about a nanny, a household member or any person living or working on the premises where children are cared for.

A complaint can be written in writing and sent to nownannys@gmail.com

When handling the complaint, all information provided by the family and the childminder will be dealt with the required confidentiality.

Understand the Complaint - Now Nanny’s will Listen carefully to the complaint to fully understand the issue at hand. We will ask clarifying questions if needed to get all the necessary details.

Document the Complaint - The complaint will be record in writing, detailing the date, time, nature of the complaint, and the individuals involved.

Investigate the Complaint – Now Nanny’s will conduct a fair and impartial investigation into the matter. Gather all relevant information and speak to any witnesses or parties involved.

Resolve the Complaint - Once Now Nanny’s has a have a good understanding of the situation, we will work towards resolving the complaint in a timely manner. This could involve taking corrective action, providing a solution, or implementing changes to prevent similar issues in the future.

Communicate with the Parties – Now Nanny’s will keep all parties updated on the progress and the outcome of the investigation.

Follow Up - After the resolution, Now Nanny’s will follow up with the complainant to ensure that they are satisfied with the outcome. This also provides an opportunity to gauge if any further action is necessary.

Now Nanny’s will ensure that all relevant information is passed on to both nannies and families within the Agency in a timely manner. Most communication will happen via email.

Now Nanny’s procedures for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children receiving registered childcare

Now Nanny’s main goal at the recruitment process is to recruit only the most suitable and best nannies for our agency. Now Nanny’s will treat each application registered on an individual basis.

We screen candidates through a seven-stage process, before they can be registered as childminders with Now Nanny’s.

Screening applications
1. Candidates complete an online application form.
2. Only those aged 18+ AND who consent to having further checks carried out progress.

Phone interviews

An initial phone interview is conducted with the candidate.
The candidate will be asked about their childcare experience, why they want to become a nanny for Now nanny’s, and other relevant questions.

Detailed form
1. The candidate will be required to complete a further form giving Now Nanny’s all the information needed so that we can carry out the checks detailed below *

References

Two references are collected – one from their most recent employer and one from their last role working with children.
References will include questions of suitability of the candidate to work with children and check for any concerns the referee may have about the candidate’s ability to protect the welfare of children.

Training

Our candidates go through 3 important mandatory training courses:

Safeguarding training – delivered via video call. This will need to be refreshed every 12 months.
Paediatric First Aid.
Food Hygiene Course

A record of the training each childminder has attended is kept on file.

Identity and suitability screening checks

Our process aims to provide rigorous safeguarding for children, and equal opportunities to all candidates. We only ever progress candidates we deem suitable to work with children.

Our screening process is designed to detect candidates with previous historic convictions, cautions, or substance abuse issues, as early as possible. We look for potential issues relevant to safeguarding. We will always conduct detailed further investigations if anything arises.

The candidate will be required to provide the following checks before the registration to the agency.

*Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) –

We will run new enhanced DBS checks.
Candidates are required to sign up to the online DBS Update Service.
If the DBS check reveals any caution or convictions (spent or unspent), or other relevant information, this will be reviewed by the Safeguarding Panel and a decision will be made on the candidate’s suitability to register with the agency as a nanny.
If the candidate has worked or lived outside the UK during the last 5 years, the candidate will need to provide a statement of suitability / record of good faith from each embassy where they have lived/travelled.

Identity check – Now Nanny’s will check the candidate’s identification prior to registration. The candidate will need to provide 1 identification document which includes the candidate’s photo.

Employment check – The candidate will need to provide a detailed chronological log of their employment since leaving school to the time of registration. Any breaks in employment must be accounted for.

Known to Ofsted Check: The Agency will carry out a check with Ofsted to find out whether the candidate has previously been known to Ofsted. If an applicant is disqualified from registration, then the agency will not be able to register them and they will be referred to Ofsted to whom the individual may be able to apply to have their disqualification waived.

What to do if there’s an allegation against a Nanny

If Now Nanny’s have cause to suspect that a child is at risk of harm if the nanny continues to work with the child, then Now Nanny’s will immediately remove the nanny and refer the allegations to the local authority.
If there is no cause to suspect that a child is at risk of harm, Now Nanny’s will refer the allegations to the local authority.
Now Nanny’s will wait for advice from the local authority regarding further actions.
Now Nanny’s will make sure to record all information, conversations and correspondence relating to the allegation.

Once a Nanny is registered with Now Nanny’s

We expect our nannies to keep their knowledge up to date. Now Nanny’s will provide the childminders with ongoing training and support, including regular Safeguarding and Paediatric first aid training, to make sure our nannies are continually developing their knowledge and practice.
We expect our nannies to sign up to their local safeguarding authority for regular updates.
The nanny must alert Now Nanny’s within 24 hours about any allegation made against them.
Now Nanny’s will check all childminders DBS status at least every 6 months to ensure no new information has been recorded.

Now Nanny’s arrangements for informing parents and prospective parents about the childcare provision offered by registered providers

Now Nanny’s will have profiles for each of our registered nannies, including a photo, their qualification history, references, availability, suited child’s age, and services they can provide. Suitable nannies will be discussed with parents when applying for a nanny service.

Now Nanny’s will also promote our service through other online tools such as social media and paid search ads, and offline tools such as partnerships with schools and other settings.

Now Nanny’s procedures for taking enforcement action in relation to a registered provider

When a nanny agency needs to take enforcement action in relation to a registered provider, there are certain procedures that are typically followed to ensure fairness and compliance with applicable regulations. Here is an outline of the general procedures that a nanny agency may follow:

Now Nanny’s will conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged misconduct or non-compliance of the nanny. This may involve reviewing records, interviewing relevant parties, and gathering evidence to support the allegations. If the investigation reveals that the nanny is not in compliance with the agency's regulations or standards, the agency will issue a notice of non-compliance to the provider. This notice will outline the specific areas of concern and provide a deadline for the nanny to address the issues. The nanny may be given an opportunity to submit a corrective action plan outlining how they will rectify the non-compliance issues within the given timeframe. The agency may review and approve the plan before implementation.

Now Nanny’s will monitor the registered provider's progress in implementing the corrective action plan. Follow-up visits or inspections may be conducted to ensure that the provider is making the necessary changes and improvement.

If the registered provider fails to comply with the corrective action plan or continues to violate the agency's regulations, enforcement actions may be taken. Now Nanny’s will revoke the nanny’s registration with agency via email.

The nanny may have the right to appeal the enforcement actions taken against them.

Now Nanny’s will ensure that their enforcement actions are conducted fairly, transparently, and in accordance with established procedures and regulations to protect both the providers and the families they serve.

The information provided to us may warrant an immediate police investigation, however there are a wide number of situations where our own investigations will be required. Broad examples of situations in which we will revoke the nanny from the agency are;

behaved in a way that has harmed a child or may have harmed a child.
committed a criminal offence against or related to a child.
behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates that they may pose a risk of harm to children.
exploited or abused a position of power.
behaved in a way in his/her personal life which could put children at risk of harm.
become the subject of criminal proceedings relating to a child or adult which may indicate risk to children, e.g. assault, domestic violence, sexual offences against adult.

Now Nanny’s arrangements for offering parents alternative provision when one of its registered providers cannot provide childcare as a result of sickness or for other reasons

In the situation where a nanny falls ill and is unable to attend work on the day, they must inform the agency as soon as possible. Now Nanny’s will do their very best to provide last minute, suitable, alternative care and may offer other registered nannies. If this is not preferred or we are unable to outsource alternative care, then the family will be provided with an allowance to use in the future for other childcare needs.

In the situation where a nanny falls suddenly seriously ill while looking after the children, the nanny or the parents must contact the agency immediately.

Now Nanny’s additional services or facilities

In the future, we plan to create a Nanny training course, this will be aimed at all suitable people wishing to pursue a career within the childcare industry. We aim to provide a course that gives more than the average childcare qualification, we want our trained Now Nanny’s to stand out and be outstanding with the childcare they offer and within the childcare industry.

We are also working towards offering tutoring services, these are provided by fully qualified tutors, who will either visit the family home or provide tutoring via video conference, delivering specific sessions required by the family.