Ofsted Petition - 'Childcare Arrangements'
Dear Colleagues,
Many of you will have read my enquiry in relation to an Ofsted ruling on reciprocal care of two Police Officers in Thames Valley Police.
Basically, two of my officers job share one role, when they are off duty they look after each others children at their own addresses. They do not pay each other or reward each other in any other way other than this reciprocal arrangement.
Following a complaint to OFSTED - the officers received a visit from an OFSTED inspector who informed them that they were committing an offence as they were not registered childminders. The OFSTED inspector stated they must cease immediately or face prosecution and threatened surveillance would commence to ensure compliance.
OFSTED guidance states 'You must register on the early years register if you provide care at any time for the early years age group and you intend to look after at least one individual child for a period of more than two hours in any day on domestic premises for reward. 'Reward' can be money or payment by other means such as gifts or services or providing reciprocal care for another person.
We are currently awaiting clarification from OFSTED as to where this definition originates as it does not appear in any relevant legislation.
The officers and their friends have set up an on-line petition to fight this perverse definition and I would ask that you support their cause by signing the petition and circulating a wide as possible.
Many Thanks
Andrew VINEY
JBB Secretary
Thames Valley Police Federation
