This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Universal Credit and use of OFSTED registered Nannies'.

 
 
 
 
DWP Policy Group Freedom of Information Team 
 
 
 
e-mail: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx 
 
 
 
Our Ref: FOI2019/04606 
 
 
11 February 2019 
 
 
 
Dear J Thorpe, 
 
Thank you for your Freedom of Information (FoI) request received on 31 January. You asked:  
 
I would like to request clarification on how OFSTED registered Nannies will be paid for under 
Universal Credit. 
 
There is conflicting information published on the issue.  
 
I wanted to find out what approved childcare was. I followed the link www.gov.uk/help-with-
childcare-costs?step-by-step-nav=f237ec8e-e82c-4ffa-8fba-2a88a739783b which states 
"home care workers working with a registered home care agency". This is the only reference to 
an OFSTED registered Nanny.  
 
I also examined the guidance on www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-
childcare/universal-credit-childcare-guide#childcare-providers which states that providers must 
be OFSTED registered, with no other stipulations. 
 
These appear to be contradictory in nature, and are both taken from gov.uk. Please can you 
clarify which one is correct. 
 
In addition, following discussion with DWP staff, no one appears to be able to clarify how to 
provide evidence of cost for a Nanny as no invoice will ever be produced. A Nanny is provided 
with a wage slip as they are employed. A Nanny can generally not be classed as self 
employed (HMRC guidance). How does Universal Credit guidance allow for this when 
providing evidence of childcare.
 
 
 
DWP Response: 
 
Thank you for your freedom of Information request. 
 
I can confirm that we do hold the information. 
 
The link below, which you have already checked in your request, states how we classify 
approved childcare: - 
 
https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs 

 
DWP doesn’t pay childcare providers, the parent contracts a nursery, afterschool club, 
childminder or nanny (a childcare provider) to provide care for their child(ren) and if the 
parent(s) 
  meet the conditions of entitlement and 
  costs are reasonable and relevant to the hours of work 
the department will reimburse up to 85% of the childcare costs to the parent. 
 
It is the parents’ responsibility to pay their childcare provider. Parents have the freedom to 
choose whichever type childcare provision is most suitable to their circumstances. 
 
Where a parent chooses a nanny to provide childcare they are required to provide comparable 
information to that which is required for any other childcare provider, e.g. that the childcare 
provider is suitably qualified, registered (if this is required by law), a contract of childcare 
provision, detailing the days/ times and total hours that the childcare provider is to care for the 
child(ren) over a given period (e.g. each month / term). Proof payment e.g. receipt, invoice 
marked as paid, bank statement etc, of the reported childcare costs paid to the childcare 
provider for the contracted period (receipts / bank transfer evidence may not always be 
required, however, parents should provide this if they receive a request for evidence. Evidence 
can be uploaded via their Universal Credit online account). 
 
 
If you have any queries about this letter please contact me quoting the reference number 
above.   
 
Yours sincerely,  
 
DWP Policy Group FoI Team 
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Your right to complain under the Freedom of Information Act 
 
If you are not happy with this response you may request an internal review by e-mailing freedom-of-information-
xxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx 
or by writing to DWP, Central FoI Team, Caxton House, Tothill Street, SW1H 9NA. Any 
review request should be submitted within two months of the date of this letter.  
 
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review you may apply directly to the Information 
Commissioner’s Office for a decision. General y the Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have 
exhausted our own complaints procedure. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information 
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF 
https://ico.org.uk/Global/contact_us  or telephone 0303 123 1113 or 01625 545745