Warning over ‘black market’ in unqualified childminders
FAMILIES desperate for childcare support have been warned against using unqualified nannies and childminders with demand expected to soar following the closure of schools.
Senior figures in the childcare sector have said “less reputable” agencies are advertising services online from inexperienced carers without conducting thorough background checks.
They warn of a “disaster waiting to happen” as people without references or police checks offer to look after the children of working parents.
It comes as parents of older children hire tutors to begin early teaching of GCSE and A-level courses to get their children ahead when they go back to lessons.
Sam Watson, founder of the Student Tutors Group, which employs 60 tutors, has had three times more enquiries compared with this time last year.
Schools, nurseries and childminders are shut until further notice owing to the acceleration of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the country.
Nanny agencies have reported an increase in childcare inquiries, including from key workers such as NHS staff
‘We are already hearing some of the less reputable agencies are advertising on social media for nannies’
who will continue to work so that critical services do not collapse.
Tricia Pritchard, the managing director of the Association of Professional Nannies, told The Sunday Telegraph: “We are already hearing that some of the less reputable agencies are advertising on social media for nannies prepared to do extra work, or who are out of work, and they are not doing the usual checks.”
Meanwhile, childminders have also warned of a “black market” opening up in which people offer to look after children in their homes for reduced rates.
Unlike nannies, childminders must be registered with Ofsted to look after children under the age of eight.
Pippa Taylor, who lives in Hersham, Surrey, with her two teenage sons, said: “You will have a whole black market for childcare. On Facebook, there are lots of people advertising, saying ‘if you need your child looked after we will do it for a fiver an hour.’ Parents who need to work are going to have to seek an option.”