Frequently Asked Questions on emergency nannies, emergency nursery places, childminders and other childcare services offered by Emergency Childcare. If you have any more questions, or require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@emergencychildcare.co.uk or call 0845 676 7699.
What is Emergency Childcare?
Why would I need to use www.emergencychildcare.co.uk?
How does the Emergency Childcare service work?
Is there a registration charge?
How do I know that the emergency nanny or childminder has all the information they need?
How can I be assured of the quality of the childcare provided?
What if my child has a problem settling in at a nursery/childminder?
What if my child is ill?
My child needs specific medication, how do I know that it'll be administered correctly?
What's the latest time I can book a place for that day?
What are the daily nursery prices or nanny / childminding rates in UK?
Can I use my childcare vouchers to pay for childcare?
Is my payment secure?
What is Emergency Childcare?
Emergency Childcare is a unique solution for parents to the backup childcare dilemma. Via Emergency Childcare (www.emergencychildcare.co.uk) you can book an emergency childminder, an emergency nanny or even an emergency nursery place for your child(ren) when your regular childcare has broken down. Childcare services can be booked for whenever you need backup care - today, tomorrow or in three months time on a day-at-a-time basis.
Our emergency nannies are sourced via our collaboration with reputable nanny agencies nationwide, to find the best childcare available. Once you make a booking your local branch will be immediately informed and one of their consultants will recruit you an appropriate nanny for your requirements.
If you need an emergency nanny, or to find local nursery spaces, or a temporary childminder then log on to www.emergencychildcare.co.uk to search availability. Childminders and nurseries update their own spaces, so you'll immediately be able to see if places are available.
We have over 600 emergency childcare nurseries currently live on the website, however if there is a nursery you would specifically like us to contact with regards to becoming involved with this service please email: newnursery@emergencychildcare.co.uk.
Why would I need to use www.emergencychildcare.co.uk?
All parents have experienced a time when they have needed trustworthy emergency backup childcare due to a breakdown of their regular childcare. At Emegency Childcare we specialise in providing childcare solutions to working parents in the UK. Whether it's a last minute panic booking or a pre-emptive solution booked well in advance, Emergency Childcare provides the choices parents need.
Parents can search and find at short notice the best childcare solution for them, whether it's an emergency nanny, childminder or a nursery space. Whichever service you choose, you can be confident that your child is in the best possible hands. There is currently no other comparable service in the UK.
We can help working mothers and parents when they know their regular childcare will not be available, and they need to book ahead. Our childcare services can be booked up to three months in advance.
How does the Emergency Childcare service work?
Firstly, you need to fill in a detailed, but easy to complete, registration form containing all the relevant information on your child(ren) to ensure that your emergency childcarer has all of the details they need in order to provide the highest level of care. You only need to register once at the start of the service.
Once your registration is complete, you are able to immediately book the childcare you require. We do, however, strongly recommend that you take the time to register prior to needing the service - this allows you time to investigate the different options available to you so you feel comfortable with the provision should you experience a childcare breakdown.
Is there a registration charge?
We know that choosing childcare is an emotional and complex decision and for that reason we pride ourselves on always being on hand to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding our service. In order to provide this level of personal service to you there is a £50 fee* which is to be paid at the end of registration, or before your first booking.
Once you have completed your registration, you will receive a 'parent pack' in the post, and if you choose to, receive a phone call from one of the team. The 'parent pack' includes details of the closest childcare to you, a hardcopy of your registration form as well as other bits of information which will help an emergencychildcare.co.uk booking go as smoothly as possible.
* N.B. We work with many companies that help their employees with their childcare costs. If your employer does not offer our Emergency Childcare service currently, please feel free to pass on our details to HR.
How do I know that the emergency nanny or childminder has all the information they need?
Whilst developing the registration form, Emergency Childcare worked very closely with a number of leading nurseries, the NCMA, SCMA and Ofsted to ensure all the correct information is collected. The emergency nanny, emergency childminder or nursery where you've booked a space for your child(ren) will receive this information.
Even so, if there is time before the booking commences, the nursery manager / childminder / nanny agency will take the time answer any questions you might have and gather any further information about your child you deem relevant.
How can I be assured of the quality of the childcare provided?
The quality of the childcare we offer is paramount and that is why all our nurseries are Ofsted registered (with at least a "satisfactory" grade), all of our childminders in England and Wales are certified members of the NCMA (National Childminding Association) and Ofsted/CSSIW registered, all of our Scottish childminders are verified members of the SCMA and are regulated by the Care Commission, and all the nannies we use are over 21, qualified, CRB checked, have a first aid certificate, fully referenced and interviewed. We make sure only the highest standard of childcare is available via our service.
What if my child has a problem settling in at a nursery/childminder?
All of the nursery nurses and childminders involved in Emergency Childcare are highly trained and experienced carers. If, in their professional opinion, your child isn't settling in they will contact you and arrange pick up arrangements. Under these circumstances 50% of your booking fee will be refunded to you.
What if my child is ill?
If your child is ill and unable to attend their regular nursery or childminder, we do ask that you inform us when booking an emergency nanny of any illnesses. In particular we require you to disclose if a child has a contagious illness, such as chicken pox, impetigo, hand foot and mouth, norovirus etc. The nanny agencies we work with need to know of any illnesses that can be passed on very quickly to a childcarer, and hence onto any children that the carer may look after when not doing that emergency booking. This information helps us to find the appropriate nanny to meet your needs.
If a parent does not disclose a contagious illness and it is discovered when the emergency nanny arrives for the booking, the nanny can refuse to accept the booking. There will be no refund to the parent in this situation.
For further information read our: child illness guide.
My child needs specific medication, how do I know that it'll be administered correctly?
All information regarding illnesses and medication should be recorded in the relevant sections on the registration form; this information is passed on to the emergency childminder or nursery as soon as you've booked. Your local branch consultant, who will deal with your emergency nanny requests, will also forward all information. We do recommend that you talk through your child's requirements prior to booking. For emergency nannies it is also advisable to print your registration form in order to keep a copy at home when and if needed.
What's the latest time I can book a place for that day?
Via our Emergency Childcare service you can book a place as late as half an hour before the nursery opens, as long as there is availability. Emergency childminders need one hour's notice, and will accept bookings as short as four hours. The nanny agencies we work with endeavour to get you a nanny within two hours and minimum booking time is four hours.
What are the daily nursery prices or nanny / childminding rates in UK?
Each nursery and childminder sets their own prices for nursery places, and so the price will vary depending on who you decide to book with. Nursery spaces tend to be in the region of £60 a day and a childminder approximately £6 or £7 per hour. The cost of emergency nannies also varies by region but expect to pay around £16 an hour.
Can I use my childcare vouchers to pay for childcare?
Via Emergency Childcare (www.emergencychildcare.co.uk) you can pay for nursery spaces with your childcare vouchers. We work with the main childcare voucher providers. If you have the following vouchers you can use them to pay for nursery spaces: Accor Services, care-4, and Sodexho Pass.
Visit www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/childcare for more information on childcare vouchers.
Is my payment secure?
Your payment is absolutely secure. We do not save card details anywhere so you will need to re-enter them each time you make a booking. Please visit www.protx.com for more details.
If you have any more questions, or require any further information,
please do not hesitate to contact us at info@emergencychildcare.co.uk or call 0845 676 7699.
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