Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. How much can be saved ?


The savings are potentially large,

If you are a Basic rate tax payer, typically those people earning between £5,435 and £41,435 per annum, you can save a maximum of £903 per year, a working couple can save up to £1,808 per year in tax payments if they are both Basic rate tax payers.

 

 

If you are a Higher rate tax payer typically those earning over £41,435 per annum, you can save up to £1,195 in tax, a working couple can save up to £2,391 per year in tax payments if they are both Higher rate tax payers.

 

2. How will I know if my workplace operates the child Voucher Scheme?

 

You will need to ask your HR/personnel department if they operate this scheme.

 

3. What can I do if my workplace does not operate the child Voucher scheme?

 

You will need to let your HR/personnel department know that you would like to join the scheme. You can point out that this scheme will help to motivate staff and also has cost savings for the company through reduction in employers NI.


Please send us the address of your HR department and a contact name and we will send them information which will point out the benefits of operating a child voucher scheme. However most medium to large enterprises and Government bodies do operate a child voucher scheme.

 

4. What is the total cost for this Registration?

 

The total costs for registration include

  • £50 for our non-refundable administration fee

  • £100 for our completion fee paid upon successful registration.

  • In addition the host family will need to pay for the cost of a First aid certificate (about £100 although this is variable)

  • £100 fee to register the Au pair with Ofsted

  • Depending on the Au pair's country of origin, there may be additional payments for verification procedures administered by their own countries. 


So the total cost is about  £350.00 plus any verification costs. Please note that if for any reason registration is not successful, the Ofsted registration fee and our £100 completion fee will not be charged. In addition we will waive the initial £50 admin fee if you subsequently put forward another Au pair for registration.





5. Are there any benefits besides the large tax savings


Yes

  • Once your Au pair / nanny is registered you have the reassurance that they have been vetted by Ofsted a Government agency.

  • The registration process requires a first aid certificate so you have confidence that they have the first aid training to deal with a range of potential medical situations
  • Child carers who register may be able to get advice and support from their local authority.
Many consider these non financial benefits to be the most important reasons for obtaining registration for your Au pair / nanny.


6. How does Ofsted decide if the Au pair / nanny is suitable?
Ofsted will assess the nanny’s suitability by considering the information on the application form and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)  disclosure. It may be necessary in some circumstances for Ofsted to carry out further checks.
If the Au pair has lived abroad in the past three years they should state the countries they have lived in on the application form. The CRB has reciprocal arrangements with some countries that allow them to check on criminal history.

Where there is no such arrangement, Ofsted will normally require the nanny to provide some extra evidence of suitability – usually this will be a certificate of good conduct from the embassy of the country, in which the nanny lived,  However it could also include
  • a reference from someone of standing in the country, in which the Au pair lived, such as a doctor or lawyer
  • evidence to support any work permit
  • references from past employers
Ofsted will contact the Au pair if they need additional evidence. If the Au pair is unable to supply sufficient evidence, Ofsted may have to refuse the nanny’s registration. .

 

7. Is there any reason why my Au pair may not pass the registration process?

 

If the Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) check comes up with any evidence that your Au pair has a criminal record then Ofsted may refuse to register them. This could also happen if their own country of origin find evidence of a criminal record. The Au pair / nanny can also be refused if he/she has already been disqualified or is deemed unsuitable, fails to pay the Ofsted fee or does not agree to all the Ofsted requirements of the register.



8. What if my Au pair has only 3 months left, is it still worth proceeding with this service?


We would advise anyone with an Au pair who has less than 4 months remaining not to proceed with this service for their current Au pair. Very simply the tax savings that you will make over this 4 month period might only just cover the outlay on this process. If however you are planning to recruit a new Au pair to replace the current Au pair we would advise you however to leave your details with us so that we can initiate the process for your new Au Pair. Just tell us when exactly you are expecting your new Au pair.


9. How long does the whole process takes?


We expect the whole process to take less than 12 weeks from the time we receive your application to your au pair / nanny receiving  the registration details. The actual time varies and depends on a variety of factors outside our control.


 

10. If I decide to proceed with this service, what is the process?

 

You will need to download and print off the application form from our website and complete the form. You then need to return this form to us together with your cheque for £50.00 As soon as we  have received your form, we will seek a suitable First aid Course for the Au pair. We will also advise you on any other requirement from your Au pair such as information required from their embassy in the UK. Once you have put together this information, you will return to us along with the First Aid certificate as well as a cheque for £100.00 payable to Ofsted.

 

We will then submit your application, and follow up should there be any problems or further information requests. Once your certificate comes through, we will then issue you with an invoice for the balance of our fee £100.00

 

Once you have the registration number for your Au pair, you will take this to your employer or employers if a couple and inform them of how much you wish to be deducted from your pay (maximum £243 per month 2007/2008 tax year) Your employer will deduct the amount from your pay before Tax and NI deductions and send this money to the registered person. So for example if you pay your Au pair £500 per month and you are a couple, each person will have £243.00 deducted from their pay and sent to the Au pair. You will then only have to give them the balance of  £14.00 directly ie £500- £486 (£243 x 2)


11. How do I pay?


Just write a cheque made payable to Eformation Enterprises Ltd and send the cheque to Eformation, P.O. Box 44845, London SE18 1XZ, make sure you send the cheque with the application form and please write your name on the back of your cheque..


12 What are your terms and conditions pertaining to this service?


Please click here for our terms and conditions