§ Ms DrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) if he will create a register of people unsuitable to work as nannies; [118622]
(2) if he will make it his policy to give statutory backing to the draft Code of Practice for Nanny Agencies. [118655]
§ Margaret HodgeThere are no current plans to introduce a registration scheme for nannies or to give statutory backing to a code of practice for nanny agencies. However, my noble friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State with responsibility for Sure Start, has received a number of proposals and representations on this issue. We are in the process of assessing the best way in which the extension to the Home Child Carers' Scheme can be managed. The extension will increase the regulated childcare available within people's homes which is eligible for tax credits. The study will look at how we can achieve this and who will provide the care once the scheme is widened.