Introduction
The Childcare (Childminder Agencies) (Registration, Inspection and Supply and Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2014, DfE, 2014, govern the work of Childminder Agencies throughout England. These Regulations state that any organisation applying to register as a Childminder Agency must compile a written Statement of Purpose, setting out the aims and objectives of the agency, its structure, and how it will support and monitor the childminders who register with it.
This Statement of Purpose has been prepared in accordance with these legal requirements. It provides information to parents and carers, childminders and prospective childminders, all teams within the Local Authority who have an interest in the Childminder Agency, and partner agencies including Ofsted.
In accordance with the legal requirements this Statement of Purpose will be reviewed no less than annually, and amended accordingly.
The aims and objectives of Rua Kids childminder agency
Vision, mission, values of your childminder agency
Rua Kids is on a mission to profoundly improve the lives of 1 million families in the next 5 years by providing them with exceptional childcare. It will do this through our childminders, which will offer families outstanding, trusted childcare locally. Good childcare is the core foundation of every family and is what allows parents and children to flourish. Rua Kids’ vision is for every family to have access to high quality yet affordable childcare that allows them to deal with their busy modern lives. Rua Kids childminders will allow children to grow and develop within the EYFS framework, while receiving the highest level of care from our talented and committed providers. It will aim to support providers to run their childminding business every step of the way, enabling them to focus wholly on the children in their care.
Purpose – the reason for setting up the agency
Rua Kids’ purpose is to create childcare technology, tools and techniques that profoundly improve the wellbeing of the family. We are creating online tools to allow parents and childminders to match with each other and ensure good fit, as well as a distinctive curriculum and activity bank.The agency is being set up in order to increase the number of affordable, high quality registered childcare providers, allowing more families to access great childcare that fits with their lives. The agency will exist to support childminders’ needs, in both the setup and registration process and the ongoing training and support that childminders need to successfully run their small business.
What will be the benefits for childminders?
- Start-up support and pre-registration training for new childminders, both in-house and via our partners NoodleNow
- Continuous Professional Development, including in-person and regular online training, based on the Rua Kids ethos which has been developed with world experts on childcare and development
- Access to high quality support via telephone and email
- Regular quality assurance visits from our highly experienced Childminder Inspectors
- Access to our community of Rua Kids childminders through both online and in-person events, forums and live webinars
- A dedicated profile page for each childminder on our website to advertise their child vacancies
- Assistance with their booking management and payment process
What will be the benefits for parents?
- More provision of high quality, home-based childcare and EYFS education for their children
- Flexible childcare options, backed by our strong existing nanny business
- Childminders who have constant access to high quality professional support and training, developed by world experts on childcare and development
- Childminders who are regularly inspected and therefore quality assured
- Rua Kids will oversee childminders to ensure that they are supporting all children to make the best possible progress in their learning and development according to the EYFS and Rua ethos
Demonstration that our nominated person and relevant staff members have knowledge of EYFS statutory framework
Nominated Person
The Nominated Person for Rua Kids childminder agency is Laura Hoyland.
Other key staff members’ knowledge of EYFS
Laura Hoyland
Highest Qualification: B.A. Hons in Early Childhood Studies / Early Years Professional Status
Experience: Working within the Early Years sector for 20 years, Laura has managed individual and multiple nursery settings. She has been a Quality Manager overseeing 44 nurseries in England & Scotland, as well as a Quality Assurance Assessor for the NDNA and PLA. She has spent nearly a decade as an Early Years Inspector. She has also delivered extensive training both within the industry and given keynote speeches at sector conferences. Laura also has extensive knowledge and understanding of being a Designated Safeguarding Lead across multiple nursery sites, delivering safeguarding training and working with multi-agency teams at case conferences in order to support children and families. She regularly updates her DSL training. Laura is a Director of Hopscotch Early Years Consultancy, an organisation that provides support to early years settings across the UK.
Eleanor Thompson
Highest Qualification: Post Graduate Certificate in Early Years Practice
Experience: Eleanor offers a wealth of experience having managed daycare settings and supported brand new start-ups. Having developed a passion for providing outstanding early years care, she became an Early Years inspector before joining the world of consultancy. She works nationally to develop the knowledge of skills of early years practitioners and childminders. She currently runs many training courses supporting childminders.
The organisational structure of Rua Kids Childminder Agency
Who is involved in the running / operation of the Agency
In addition to the biographies of key staff post holders with Early Years knowledge (above, under ‘Explain other key staff member’s knowledge of EYFS’), the running and operation of the Childminder Agency is supported by Oliver Bridge (General Manager) and Susie Carr (Operations Manager).
Rachel Carrell
- CEO and founder at Koru Kids
- Formerly CEO of Lloydspharmacy Online Doctor, which supplied healthcare services to 1 million patients in the UK, Australia and Ireland
- Former Head of Strategy for NHS London, and McKinsey manager
- BA(hons), MPhil (distinction), DPhil in Development from Oxford University
Oliver Bridge
- General Manager of Childminding at Rua Kids – implementing and executing the directions of the board of directors and ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the business
- Non-Executive Director of Cornerstone (CSTT Ltd) – an online provider of personal care and regulated healthcare products to 50,000 customers around the UK
- Previous experience as an Investment Manager at Synova Capital Private Equity and an Innovation Consultant at Happen
- Oxford University Graduate – 2.i in Politics, Philosophy and Economics
Susie Carr
- Operations Manager of Childminding at Rua Kids – responsible for managing operations within the childminding business, including onboarding of childminders
- Previously Operations Manager of Nannies at Koru Kids – ran operations for their Baby & Toddler nanny service, including onboarding of nannies
- St Andrews University Graduate – 1st class honours in Philosophy
Alan Hopley
Highest Qualification: MBA from University of Warwick
Experience: Alan has worked in a variety of sectors over the past 20 years including healthcare where he was a Registered Manager with the Care Quality Commission and Accountable Officer for Controlled Drugs, so has experience with regulatory inspections and compliance. He also acted as a Designated Officer for safeguarding, with substantial experience of cases and multi-agency cooperation, and holds a current Safeguarding Children Level 3 qualification which is valid until October 2023.
Oliver and Susie’s roles at Rua Kids are focused on ensuring that the Rua Kids team operates as an effective unit, and liaising with our tech and other teams to ensure our technologies, tools and techniques are constantly available and fit for purpose.
Recruitment and vetting procedures
Rachel Carrell and Laura Hoyland are responsible for recruiting Rua Kids staff and inspectors, which is done through the job vacancies page on our website, and other online job sites. Any employee of Koru Kids must also follow this recruitment process. We use many Safer Recruitment procedures as the basis of our recruitment process.
When recruiting staff members, a clear job description is published including a person specification.
Shortlisted candidates (who will have applied with a covering letter, CV and completed an application form) will then be requested to interview. The interview will be conducted by at least two members of staff within the organisation (and where this is an inspector, Laura Hoyland and another senior Rua Kids member of staff will conduct this interview) . Where possible and according to government guidelines these interviews will be conducted face to face. If not, they will be conducted via video conferencing.
Candidates must supply us with the contact details of at least two referees, one of which must be their previous employer.
The successful candidate will be provided with a job offer in writing. Once the position has been accepted an Enhanced DBS check will be processed and we require all staff members to register on the DBS update service.
All new members of staff go through a full induction process, part of which is data protection training at an appropriate level.
The Childminder Agency’s arrangements for registering providers i.e. childminders
System and processes for registering providers
The first step to becoming a registered childminder with the Agency will be an initial application form. The application form contains all relevant information for the Agency to make an initial assessment of the applicant, and consent for the Agency to carry out any further necessary checks on the applicant and anyone who lives at the potential childminding setting. The application form makes it clear that prospective childminders must declare anything that may prevent them from caring for children.
The Agency’s website clearly states all requirements of registration for prospective childminders and they are also emailed this on completion of their application form.
Rua Kids childminder pre-registration training will be delivered by experienced and qualified providers. Hopscotch Early Years consultancy will be delivering Safeguarding and EYFS training, as well as building further e-learning modules (mentioned below in the ‘Pre-Registration Training’ section). Rua Kids childminders will have access to all of Noodle Now’s CPD accredited training, parts of which will make up their mandatory pre-registration training (mentioned below in the ‘Pre-Registration Training’ section). Pre-registration training will consist of e-learning modules, live video call seminars and in-person first aid training from an expert partner.
Checks
Once the prospective childminder has submitted their initial application form and consented for checks to be carried out, these checks will commence. This is regardless of whether the childminder is already registered with Ofsted.
For childminder applicants, the following checks will be carried out:
- Health Check: The Agency will provide all applicants with a Health Declaration Form which they must take to their GP for completion.
- Enhanced DBS check: All applicants will be required to undergo an Enhanced DBS check prior to registration with the Agency, as well as anyone who lives or regularly visits their home. The Agency also requires applicants to register for the DBS Update Service prior to their registration as a childminder.
- Local Authority Checks: The Agency will liaise with each Local Authority that the applicant has lived in for the past five years to check that there are no causes for concern regarding them caring for children.
- Known to Ofsted Check: The Agency will liaise with Ofsted to check whether the applicant is previously known to them. If the applicant, or anyone associated with their application, is disqualified from registration then the Agency will reject their application and refer them to Ofsted, with whom they may be able to apply for their disqualification to be waived.
- Identity Check: The Agency will check the applicant’s identification as per the government’s online guidance prior to registration.
- Other Checks: There may be further checks that the Agency must carry out in order to determine an applicant’s suitability. If the applicant has previously been registered as a childminder with another agency, the Agency must liaise with the previous agency to carry out further checks on their suitability as a childminder. If the applicant, or anyone connected with the application, has been in military service then the Agency will run a check with SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association). If an applicant is not a British citizen or has lived in the UK for less than five years, they must provide a letter of good conduct from the appropriate Embassies. If they are not able to provide the relevant letters, the Agency must decide whether or not to register the applicant.
How the agency will ensure that those registering with the agency are declaring anything that may prevent them caring for children
The initial application form makes it clear that all applicants must declare anything that may prevent them from caring for children. It provides the applicants with an email address to contact in order to make any declaration.
How the agency will assess an applicant’s suitability as a childminder
Rua Kids will treat each application to register on an individual basis. The Agency will use information gathered from the initial application form, a telephone interview, reference checks, the checks carried out (detailed above), the training that the childminder has undertaken and the pre-registration visit to make a decision on whether to register an applicant as a childminder. The Agency may refuse registration if any concerns arise around an applicant’s suitability throughout the application process. The applicant will not be able to appeal against the refusal of their registration with the Agency, but they may wish to seek registration with another agency or with Ofsted.
The Agency may refuse an application, and offer information on how the applicant may apply to another agency or Ofsted, if any of the following concerns arise during the carrying out of checks (detailed above):
- Applicant Enhanced DBS check – any criminal offence that is flagged on the Enhanced DBS check
- Associated Enhanced DBS check – any criminal offence that is flagged on the Enhanced DBS check of someone who is associated with the application
- Social services check – any involvement with social services for either the applicant or anyone associated with the application will be assessed by the safeguarding panel on an individual basis
- Health check – any health concern that has the potential to have an impact on the children in the setting
- Other checks (detailed above) – any issues that could give cause for concern will be looked at on an individual basis
If any of the above concerns arise, the safeguarding panel, chaired by the Designated Safeguarding Lead, will assess the suitability of the respective applicant on an individual basis. If the applicant is deemed unsuitable to be registered as a childminder with the Agency, they will be notified in writing. The safeguarding panel also has a secure communications channel on Slack on which they share issues as they arise.
Rua Kids will make sure that no applicant becomes registered with the Agency if they are disqualified from working with children under the Childcare Act 2006. There are multiple reasons why someone may be disqualified, and the checks carried out (detailed above) will determine whether or not this is the case. If it is determined that an applicant is disqualified from working with children, their application will be rejected and they will be notified in writing. The reasons why someone may be disqualified can be grouped under these general themes:
- Offences against children
- Offences against adults
- Grounds relating to the care of children
- Inclusion on the list held by the Disclosure and Barring Service
- Living on or working on premises where a disqualified person lives or where a disqualified person is employed
- Having registration refused or cancelled (this does not apply to a person whose registration as a childminder or childcare provider is cancelled in England for non-payment of fee after 1 September 2008)
- Offences include those committed overseas that, had the offence been committed in the UK, would disqualify that person from registration, regardless of how the offence is described in the law of the other country
How the agency will assess an applicant’s ability to deliver all the requirements of the EYFS
As part of the mandatory pre-registration training for all childminder applicants, the Agency will provide:
- EYFS training, delivered by experienced Early Years experts
- 12 hour Paediatric First Aid course, delivered by our expert partner
- Safeguarding training, delivered by experienced Early Years experts
Only when the applicant has completed all of the training above will they be considered for registration with the Agency. They will be assessed on their ability to deliver the requirements of the EYFS at their pre-registration visit.
How the agency will ensure that an applicant is meeting the requirements of the Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register and/or Voluntary Childcare Register
The Agency anticipates that most of the childminder applicants will wish to care for children both in the Early Years age group and older, and will therefore register all applicants on both the Early Years Register and the Compulsory and Voluntary Childcare Registers. The requirements of the Early Years Register, and how we will ensure that childminders have fulfilled them, can be found below:
- All childcare providers who are registered on the Early Years Register must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage, which is the statutory framework for the early education and care of children in the early age group.
- Rua Kids will provide EYFS training as part of mandatory pre-registration training for all applicants
- The EYFS, which is produced by the Department for Education (DfE), includes requirements for the provision of young children’s safeguarding and welfare, and their learning and development, which all providers on the Early Years Register must meet. It also provides guidance on good practice.
- Rua Kids will provide Safeguarding training as part of mandatory pre-registration training for all applicants
- A health declaration questionnaire must be completed
- Applicants, along with their GP, must complete a health declaration as part of the checks carried out pre-registration
- A course designed to enable them to meet the EYFS learning and development and welfare requirements must be completed
- Rua Kids will provide EYFS training as part of mandatory pre-registration training for all applicants
- Have an appropriate first aid qualification
- Rua Kids will provide the 12 hour Paediatric First Aid course via our expert partner as part of mandatory pre-registration training for all applicants
- Provide an application for an enhanced DBS with list checks for themselves and any persons associated with the application
- It is part of the Agency’s application process that applicants, and anyone associated with their application, have an enhanced DBS check and are registered on the Update Service
- Carry out an assessment to identify any risks to the health or safety of children arising from relevant premises, equipment and activities to be provided on those premises
- The Agency’s Childminder Inspectors will carry out these checks during the pre-registration visit
- Demonstrate that every person who is looking after children on the relevant premises where childminding is provided is suitable to care for young children, and provide an application for an enhanced DBS check in respect of every person
- The checks (detailed above) that the Agency carries out on all applicants will determine whether they are suitable to care for young children
- Where those premises are domestic premises, demonstrate that every person over the age of 16 who lives, works or is to work (whether as an employee or on a voluntary basis), on the premises where, and at the time when, childminding is provided, is suitable to be in regular contact with young children. They must also provide an application for an enhanced DBS check in respect of every person.
- The Agency will carry out Enhanced DBS checks on all persons over the age of 16, or regular visitors, who live, work or are to work on the premises.
- Have the suitability of each non-domestic premises approved before early years childminding is provided there
- Childminders must complete an application form if they wish to care for children on non-domestic premises. Agency inspectors will conduct an in-person assessment of the new non-domestic premises where childminding may be permitted up to 50% of the childminder’s hours of care.
The requirements for registration on the Compulsory and Voluntary Childcare Registers are similar to those for the Early Years Register, although they do not require applicants to undergo EYFS training.
Process for initial pre-registration visits
Once the applicant has successfully completed their initial application form, telephone interview, reference checks, further checks (detailed above) and mandatory pre-registration training, the Agency will carry out a pre-registration home visit to ensure that the childminder is able to deliver the EYFS requirements and to assess the suitability of their childminder setting. As part of their pre-registration training, applicants will have completed a risk assessment form to carry out a risk assessment on their childminder setting. As part of the visit the Childminder Inspectors will carry out a Health and Safety assessment of the childminder setting based on the risk assessment. They will also determine whether the applicant has suitable equipment and resources in place to care for children. The Inspector will also assess the applicant’s knowledge of the Statutory Framework for the EYFS. If there are any concerns about the applicant’s suitability as a childminder based on the criteria above, then they will be asked to withdraw their application until they have made the necessary changes and/or improved their knowledge in order to deliver the requirements of the EYFS. If at the second registration visit the applicant has not made the required changes then they will be refused registration. If the applicant’s knowledge and understanding is sufficient and they can evidence that they are able to meet the requirements of the EYFS then they will be successfully registered.
Early Years Census
Rua Kids will work with the local authorities and provide all the necessary information for the annual Early Years Census. We understand that local authorities may wish for the agency to gather the information from our childminders and supply this directly to them.
The Childminder Agency’s arrangements in relation to training and monitoring providers
CPD arrangements
Rua Kids have established a partnership with Noodle Now, an online learning platform which offers over 80 CPD accredited childcare related courses. All of Rua Kids’ registered childminders will have unlimited access to these courses. Rua Kids will require all Early Years childminders to complete at least 16 hours of CPD annually through Noodle Now courses. Rua Kids will also offer at least another 4 hours of practice support annually, which can be alternative training, advice or assistance which supports them to run their childcare practice. Rua Kids will require all Later Years childminders to complete at least 8 hours of CPD annually through Noodle Now courses. Rua Kids will also offer at least another 2 hours of practice support annually to these childminders.
Rua Kids will determine which Noodle Now courses are basic requirements for all childminders, and which are optional. Rua Kids will work with childminders to figure out which courses would be most relevant to them depending on experience, the type of setting they’re providing (for example, if they are providing meals they need to complete a Food Hygiene course of suitable standard), and the children in their care (for example, if they care for children with special educational needs they need to complete a SENCO course).
All Rua Kids childminders will have to renew their safeguarding training annually, which Rua Kids will facilitate and deliver, and they will be asked to sign up for safeguarding updates from their local authority. Childminders will also need to renew their paediatric first aid training every three years.
Pre-registration training
Rua Kids will work with Hopscotch consultancy to deliver pre-registration training for all prospective childminders. The training will comprise of courses lasting at least 15 hours in total and will be delivered through a mix of online training modules and live video seminars. The following aspects of childminding practice will be covered:
- Safeguarding
- Risk Assessment
- Food Hygiene
- The Early Years Foundation Stage
- Safeguarding & Welfare Requirements
- Observation and Assessment
- Understanding the 7 areas of learning
- What to expect at the pre-registration assessment
It is Rua Kids vision to develop our own bespoke pre-registration training course for childminders. This will cover all topics above and will be delivered through a blend of online training modules and live video seminars.
Mandatory training
Rua Kids will require all childminders to complete a12 hour Paediatric First Aid course (in line with Annexe A in the EYFS), and mandatory Safeguarding training (as detailed above). The Agency will ensure that all childminders’ mandatory training is kept up to date by sending reminders to childminders to renew their training when needed.
How the agency will secure training and CPD that will help its childminders deliver quality learning, development and care against the principles and commitments of the EYFS
Training and CPD for childminders will initially be provided through Noodle Now and bespoke training modules built by Rua Kids and Hopscotch consultancy. All courses provided through Noodle Now are CPD accredited. Childminders will be able to sign in to online training courses and complete them at a time that is suitable for them, as well as attending live video seminars. Additional training and support will be offered to providers with particular development needs and childminders will be able to access 1:1 over the phone support.
It is Rua Kids vision to develop our own bespoke training and CPD for childminders. This will be delivered through a blend of online training modules and live video seminars.
How the Agency will monitor providers
Prospective childminders will receive a pre-registration visit from the Agency’s Childminder Inspectors. The Inspectors will determine whether the applicant is ready for registration with the Agency. In the 12 months after they become registered, the childminder will receive a minimum of 1 further visit which will be unannounced. At this visit the Inspectors will be assessing the standard of care and early years education being delivered.
After the first 12 months after registration, the Agency will visit each childminder a minimum of once per year. The Agency may decide to conduct more visits than this if, for example, we have concerns about the standard of care being provided. If the childminder receives an ‘Inadequate’ grading on inspection, they will be visited at least once more in the following 6 months to determine whether the provision of care has improved.
At these Quality Assurance visits, childminders will be assessed against delivery learning and development and the welfare requirements of the EYFS, including health and safety and safeguarding.
After each Quality Assurance visit a written report will be drawn up, stating what grade the childminder has received and what improvements are to be made (if any). The report will be shared with the childminder and the parents or carers of any children in the childminder’s care.
We will also seek regular feedback from families in order to keep track of the childminder’s development and identify any potential issues that may need to be addressed.
All Quality Assurance visits, including the pre-registration visit, will be carried out by individuals who have a strong foundation and experience in the EYFS. Many will have carried out similar inspections on registered childcare providers and will bring their wealth of experience and knowledge to ensure that they make a fair assessment and can help childminders to develop according to the EYFS framework.
The childminder agency’s arrangements for ensuring provision is of a sufficient standard
The monitoring visits (as detailed above) will be used to observe each childminders’ setting, environment and provision of care. The Agency Inspectors will use these observations to evaluate the childminder against the EYFS and Childcare Register requirements. Their evaluation will include a grade for each childminder and will be the foundation upon which we can build an action plan for each childminder and their areas of improvement and/or development.
It is the vision for Rua Kids to develop our own Quality Assurance benchmark, which will follow the EYFS. We will develop bespoke training in the Rua ethos and childminders will eventually be graded against the Rua standards.
The agency’s quality assurance criteria against the EYFS
Rua Kids monitoring and quality assurance visits for Early Years childminders will be based on EYFS criteria. Childminders caring for only older children will be assessed against the Childcare Register requirements.
Details of the agency’s grading system
The Agency will use a grading system in line with the existing Ofsted grading system:
Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning.
Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning.
Requires Improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection.
Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection.
How the agency will report the outcome of its monitoring and quality assurance visits
A pro forma document will be used for Quality Assurance visits. Each childminder will have at least one Quality Assurance visit each year and will receive a detailed report, with their grade, shortly after the visit has been completed. This report will also be shared with any parent or carer of children in the childminder’s care. The Agency may decide to share this report with prospective families if deemed appropriate. Monitoring visits will be carried out according to each individual childminder’s needs, and a shorter report will be filed after each visit. The report will lay out an action plan, which will be agreed upon with the childminder, and will be shared with the childminder shortly after the visit.
How the agency will track the quality of childminders and their improvement
The Agency will hold an internal profile for each childminder, which will be populated after each monitoring and Quality Assurance visit. The profiles will include details of all visits including reports and grading, records of the childminder’s progress, and their training and CPD history. These profiles will be available internally and will allow the Agency to track each childminder’s progress and determine whether any extra action is needed to ensure they’re providing a suitable level of care.
How the agency will demonstrate that childminders are improving outcomes for children
When each child enters a Rua Kids childminding setting, their childminder will assess their starting points and monitor and evaluate their progress from then on. Rua Kids will have access to each child’s records and observations and will therefore be able to ensure that each child is developing appropriately. If the Agency notices that children are not making sufficient progress then we will work with childminders to build an action plan upon which they can develop and make improvements.
How the agency will deal with childminders who consistently fail to meet a sufficient standard
Rua Kids will assess each childminder according to our pro forma for inspection, and if any childminder is graded with a ‘Requires Improvement’ or an ‘Inadequate’ then we will work with them to make the necessary improvements. A detailed action plan will be developed by the Inspectors, in partnership with the childminder, and expected timeframe for improvement will be laid out. An inspector will conduct an inspection to assess the childminder within 6 months of the grading of Requires Improvement or Inadequate. Rua Kids will recommend any further training that we deem relevant and will be on hand to support childminders through their improvement plan with further support visits if necessary. If a childminder is not able to improve their grade after the expected timeframe, their registration will be cancelled in line with our cancellation policy, which is detailed below.
The childminder agency’s arrangements for communicating the outcome of quality assurance visits to parents or carers of children who are cared for by its registered providers
Once a childminder’s Quality Assurance report has been completed, a copy will be emailed to all parents or carers of children in that childminder’s care. Parents or carers can also find the quality assurance rating of any registered childminder on their profile on our website.
Information about inspection by Rua Kids
- This inspection was carried out by Rua Kids under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register.
- Inspections of childminders registered with Rua Kids are scheduled once annually following registration. Inspections are unannounced. (This schedule is set out in the Childcare Childminder Agencies Registration, Inspection and Supply and Disclosure of Information Regulations 2014)
- Where Rua Kids identifies a need to do so, for example where provision has been previously judged inadequate, or if Rua Kids has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, inspections will be brought forward.
- Rua Kids is regulated by Ofsted
What inspection judgements mean:
Rua Kids Registered Childminder:
Judgement Description
Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning.
Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning.
Requires Improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection.
Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection.
Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration.
Not met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.
- Any complaints about the inspection or the report should be made following the procedures set out in the guidance
Quality Assurance of the Inspection Team
Rua Kids will ensure that the team of inspectors who will carry out inspections of the agency’s childminders are regularly quality assured. We will do this in a variety of ways:
- All inspectors will have at least one accompanied visit (“Inspector Quality Assurance Visit”) with a senior inspector each year, who will provide feedback on their practice.
- Childminders will have the opportunity to send feedback to Rua Kids following an inspection. This will support us to reflect and refine our practices if necessary.
- The agency will take all feedback from Ofsted during their sampling of childminders seriously and work on any recommendations raised to improve quality further
- Laura Hoyland & Eleanor Thompson will be responsible for onboarding all new inspectors, training and inducting them.
- The Rua Kids management team will accompany a number of inspections annually to ensure quality and professionalism of the inspection team.
- The Rua Kids management team will meet on a regular basis to discuss the quality of inspecting, review feedback from families and childminders, and reflect on how we can improve our inspection processes and quality.
- Rua Kids will have a set of guidelines to determine when an inspector is performing at the expected level and where they may need to support to improve their inspection practice.
- Rua Kids will intervene as necessary to provide additional training to inspectors or remove them from our inspection team in the event that family or childminder complaints are upheld against them, where there are serious breaches of inspection quality or where there are instances of gross misconduct.
Communication Policy
Rua Kids is committing to upholding effective lines of communication with childminders and families. We welcome all clients to raise any concerns or issues that may arise directly with the Agency, which we will be happy to discuss. If any sensitive matters arise, these will be discussed confidentially over telephone. If anyone wishes to make a complaint against the Agency or one of its registered childminders, they may refer to the Agency’s Complaints Policy.
Rua Kids will ensure that all relevant information is passed on to both childminders and families within the Agency in a timely manner. Most communication will happen via email.
The childminder agency’s procedures for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children who are cared for by its registered providers
Rua Kids childminder agency Safeguarding Policy
Culture of Safeguarding
We have a designated team in charge of safeguarding:
- Designated Safeguarding Lead – Laura Hoyland
- Secondary Designated Safeguarding Lead – Alan Hopley
We have 2 team members who have completed Safer Recruitment training:
- Susie Carr
- Laura Hoyland
Prevention
How we safely recruit childminders
The main goal of our recruitment process is to recruit only the most suitable and best childminders for the role. Our recruitment process is constantly reviewed and improved.
Rua Kids will treat each application to register with its childminder agency on an individual basis.
We screen candidates through a seven-stage process, before they can be registered as childminders with Rua Kids.
- Screening applications
- Candidates complete an online application form.
- Only those aged 18+ AND who consent to having further checks carried out progress.
- Phone interviews
- An initial phone interview is conducted with the candidate.
- The candidate will be asked about their childcare experience, why they want to become a childminder, and other relevant questions.
- Detailed form
- The candidate will be required to complete a further online form, giving Rua Kids all the information needed so that we can carry out the checks detailed below in points 4 and 6.
- References
- Two references are collected – one from their most recent employer and one from their last role working with children, where possible
- References will include questions of suitability of the candidate to work with children, and check for any concerns the referee may have about the candidate’s ability to protect the welfare of children.
- Training
- Our candidates go through 3 important mandatory training courses:
- Pre registration training – EYFS statutory framework – delivered online.
- Safeguarding training – delivered via video call. This will need to be refreshed every 12 months.
- Paediatric First Aid.
- A record of the training each childminder has attended is kept on file.
- Our candidates go through 3 important mandatory training courses:
- Identity and suitability screening checks
Our process aims to provide rigorous safeguarding for children, and equal opportunities to all candidates. We only ever progress candidates we deem suitable to work with children.
Our screening process is designed to detect candidates with previous historic convictions, cautions, or substance abuse issues, as early as possible. We look for potential issues relevant to safeguarding. We will always conduct detailed further investigations if anything arises.
The candidate will be required to provide the following checks before the registration visit. The documents will be reviewed and discussed with the candidate at the registration visit.
- Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) –
- We will run new enhanced DBS checks (unless the candidate has a home-based enhanced DBS check and are on the DBS update service) for all candidates and all members of the candidate’s household who are over 16 (or regularly visiting the home). This must be in place prior to registration.
- Candidates are required to sign up to the online DBS Update Service prior to registration.
- If the DBS check reveals any caution or convictions (spent or unspent), or other relevant information, this will be reviewed by the Safeguarding Panel and a decision will be made on the candidate’s suitability to register with the agency as a childminder.
- If the candidate has worked or lived outside the UK during the last 5 years, the candidate will need to provide a statement of suitability / record of good faith from each embassy where they have lived/travelled.
- If the candidate would like to hire an assistant, the childminder will be responsible for their vetting process. Rua Kids will carry out an enhanced DBS check and offer them Paediatric First Aid training.
- Identity check – Rua Kids will check the candidate’s identification prior to registration. The candidate will need to provide 1 identification document which includes the candidate’s photo. A list of approved identification documents can be found on the government website.
- Employment check – The candidate will need to provide a detailed chronological log of their employment since leaving school to the time of registration. Any breaks in employment must be accounted for.
- Health declaration – All applicants will complete a Health Declaration Form, provided by Rua Kids, which they will take to their GP for completion.
- Local Authority (LA) Checks: Rua Kids will obtain information from each Local Authority that the applicant has lived in for the past five years to ensure there are no issues which may prevent them from caring for children.
- Known to Ofsted Check: The Agency will carry out a check with Ofsted to find out whether the candidate has previously been known to Ofsted. If an applicant, or anyone associated with their application is disqualified from registration then the agency will not be able to register them and they will be referred to Ofsted to whom the individual may be able to apply to have their disqualification waived.
- Known to Other Childminder Agency Checks: The Agency will carry out a check with other childminder agencies to find out whether the candidate has previously been known to them. If an applicant, or anyone associated with their application is disqualified from registration with an agency, then the Agency may decide to refuse their application.
- Registration visit
- The registration visit will be conducted by a Rua Kids Inspector, who has experience of working with and understanding the requirements of childminding.
- We will robustly interview the candidate and ask them questions regarding the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage to assess their suitability.
- We will view and check copies of all the documents listed above.
- We will follow up on any information that we haven’t seen and/or any concerns we may have to ensure that all necessary requirements are met.
- During the registration visit, we will check the suitability of the premises. Before the Registration Visit candidates will conduct a full risk assessment of their environment and make modifications to make the premises safe and suitable for children. At the registration visit, Rua Kids Inspectors will review the risk assessment with them and review the premises. If further modifications are required, the provider will be expected to put these in place before they can be registered. A repeat visit will occur to ensure this has been completed if the candidate is unable to supply photo evidence of required changes.
- If, at the registration visit, a Rua Kids Inspector has cause for concern in relation to children or vulnerable adults’ welfare or safeguarding, or the welfare of the public at large, then it is our duty to report this to the relevant authorities whether that be Ofsted, Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or the police.
- Refusing an application
- ‘Childminder agencies may choose whether or not to register childminders and other providers’. Rua Kids will treat each application to register with its childminder agency on an individual basis.
- After the registration visit, the relevant team members will review all the materials and information regarding the candidate, and make a decision on their application.
- If the candidate is successful, they will receive a certificate and will be registered as a childminder with Rua Kids.
- If they are not successful they will be informed about the reasoning behind this decision.
- If any ongoing health concern that could have an impact on the children in the setting appears in the health declaration, we will refuse the application and will provide information on how the individual can apply to Ofsted for registration and signpost to other sources of support. Historic concerns will be looked at on a case by case basis.
- If a criminal offence that appears on the DBS check could have implications for the children in the setting, we will refuse the application and will provide information on how the individual can apply to Ofsted for registration and signpost to other sources of support. Historic concerns will be looked at on a case by case basis.
- In the case of Local Authority Social Services checks, prior or current involvement with social services will be reviewed on a case by case basis. If there’s potential that the children could be at risk, we will refuse the application.
- If during Known to Ofsted checks or Known to Other Childminder Agency checks it comes to light that other regulators have cause for concern regarding a candidate’s application to care for children, we may decide to refuse their application.
- If it comes to light that a candidate has been dishonest, fraudulent or reckless with the truth during the process of applying to be a childminder with Rua Kids, we also may refuse the application.
How we safely recruit our staff and inspectors
- An applicant applying for a position at Rua Kids, including anyone proposing to transfer from Koru Kids, will be required to submit a CV and cover letter.
- They will then go through 1-4 interviews, depending on their role. For some roles, the applicant may be required to successfully pass a written exam relating to their role. Both Laura Hoyland and Rachel Carrell will conduct at least one interview with anyone applying to become an inspector with Rua Kids.
- All existing and new members of the Rua Kids team, who have access to data about children (or other vulnerable people) will hold an enhanced DBS check and will be requested to sign up to the Update Service. No member of staff can conduct a visit to a childminder’s home without a suitable DBS clearance.
- All Rua Kids staff will self certify their suitability each year and be made aware that any changes to their suitability must be declared immediately.
- The Safeguarding Panel at Rua Kids will check the status of all Rua Kids employees’ DBS checks at least every 6 months to ensure no new information has been recorded.
What to do if there’s an allegation against a childminder
- If Rua Kids have cause to suspect that a child is at risk of harm if the childminder continues to operate, then Rua Kids will immediately suspend the childminder’s services and refer the allegations to the local authority. Our suspension process is outlined in our Statement of Purpose.
- If there is no cause to suspect that a child is at risk of harm, Rua Kids will not suspend the childminder but will refer the allegations to the local authority.
- Rua Kids will wait for advice from the local authority regarding further actions.
- Rua Kids will make sure to record all information, conversations and correspondence relating to the allegation.
Once a childminder is registered
- We expect our childminders to keep their knowledge up to date. Rua Kids will provide the childminders with ongoing training and support, including regular Safeguarding and Paediatric first aid training, to make sure our childminders are continually developing their knowledge and practice.
- We expect our childminders to sign up to their local safeguarding authority for regular updates.
- Every childminder must have a written safeguarding policy and a complaints policy that are tailored to their own provision.
- The childminder must alert Rua Kids within 24 hours about any allegation made against them, a household member or adult working on the premises.
- The childminder must inform Rua Kids of any person living on the premises, or any regular visitor where regular visitor is someone who spends more than 3 hours a month in the premises during childcare hours, who has turned 16 years of age so that we can conduct an enhanced DBS check.
- Rua Kids will conduct visits to the premises twice in their first year of registration, and at least once every 12 months thereafter in order to review whether the childminder is still in line with all requirements.
- The Safeguarding Panel at Rua Kids will check all childminders DBS status at least every 6 months to ensure no new information has been recorded.
Disqualified People
The childminder must inform Rua Kids if they, someone who lives with them or a regular visitor (where regular visitor is someone who spends more than 3 hours a month in the premises during childcare hours) gets disqualified from working with children within 14 days of becoming aware of the information. Rua Kids will then cancel their registration as a childminder with Rua Kids.
The childminder won’t be able to appeal this decision, but they will be able to try and register again as a childminder with Ofsted or another agency.
The childminder agency’s arrangements for disseminating information to parents and prospective parents who are seeking information about childcare provision offered by registered providers of that childminder agency
Rua Kids website will contain profiles for each of our registered childminders, including a photo, their quality assurance rating, information about their setting, their provision for children, their qualification history and information about how to enquire about placing a child in their care.
Rua Kids will also promote our services and our childminders through other online tools such as social media and paid search ads, and offline tools such as partnerships with schools and other settings. Rua Kids will also use email to notify families of new childminders in their area, or any changes in availability of local childminders.
Rua Kids will work with relevant Local Authorities to ensure that we are listed on their Family Information Services section of their website, and that Agency childminders can be promoted in this way.
The childminder agency’s procedures for taking enforcement action in relation to a registered provider
We understand our role in taking enforcement action when required to protect children from harm.
Procedures for dealing with childminders who cease to meet the prescribed requirements for registration
The Childcare (Childminder Agencies) (Cancellation etc) Regulations 2014 state that the Agency must cancel the registration of a person registered on the Early Years Register, the Compulsory Childcare Register or the Voluntary Childcare Register if it appears to the Agency that the person has become disqualified from registration by regulations under section 75 of the Childcare Act 2006.
Furthermore, if it appears to the Agency that the registration requirements have ceased to be satisfied by a childminder, then the Agency may cancel their registration. In all cases, the Agency must follow the cancellation procedures set out in these regulations.
Thresholds for our enforcement action
If a childminder notifies us of a significant incident or an allegation made against them, we will immediately risk assess the situation and decide on the best course of action for the child/children (where they are suffering from or likely to suffer significant harm).
We can use our enforcement powers only when particular thresholds are met. We will take enforcement action alongside an inspection, if appropriate. We explain below the thresholds for each type of enforcement we take.
Welfare Requirements Notice
The Agency may issue a Welfare Requirements Notice (WRN), which sets out the actions that a childminder must take by a certain date to meet safeguarding and welfare requirements in the ‘Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.’
The Agency will issue a WRN if:
We consider that a childminder has failed, or is failing to comply with one or more of the welfare requirements in the ‘Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage’ and/or
The childminder has failed to meet any action set
The childminder commits an offence if they fail to carry out the actions set in the WRN. We will notify Ofsted of childminders who do not take the action required in a WRN within the set timescale.
The Agency will send a notice of intention to cancel their registration to the childminder in writing via email, and the childminder will have a further 14 days to show improvement and comply with the requirements. If they still do not comply with the requirements then Rua Kids will issue a decision notice to cancel their registration. Childminders will be given at least 28 days notice.
In addition, a breach of some of the welfare requirements by an agency registered childminder amounts to a criminal offence, liable on conviction before a magistrates court to a fine.
The offences are:
- Using corporal punishment against a child;
and
- Failing to notify the childminder agency of certain events and failing to provide the agency with certain information within a specified timeframe.
Regulations specify that proceedings in relation to these offences may only be taken by Ofsted. However, we understand our requirement to notify Ofsted if we believe an offence has been committed and we will provide any support and/or information as required.
Suspension of registration
We will suspend the registration of a childminder if we have reasonable cause to believe that continued provision of childcare by the childminder may expose a child or children to a risk of harm.
(Reasonable cause to believe is judged to be whether a reasonable person, assumed to know the law and possessed of information, would believe that a child might be at risk of harm.)
This need not necessarily be direct harm caused by the action of a childminder and could instead include an inaction by a childminder which creates a risk of harm through an unsafe practice or part of the provider’s premises.
The information provided to us may warrant an immediate police investigation, however there are a wide number of situations where our own investigations will be required. Broad examples of situations in which the suspension procedure would be invoked include when the information to us suggests that the childminder has:
– behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child
– committed a criminal offence against or related to a child
– behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates that they may pose a risk of harm to children
– contravened the safe practice guidance given by Rua Kids or their local authority
– exploited or abused a position of power
– behaved in a way in his/her personal life which could put children at risk of harm
– become the subject of criminal proceedings relating to a child or adult which may indicate risk to children, e.g. assault, domestic violence, sexual offences against adults
– become subject to section 47 enquiries under child protection.
The purpose of suspension
– to allow time to assess the risk of harm to children
or
– to allow time for steps to be taken to reduce or eliminate the risk of harm to children.
The initial period of suspension is six weeks.
If Rua Kids decide to suspend a childminder this will have immediate effect and the Agency will initially contact the childminder via telephone to let them know of the suspension.
The Agency will also provide written notice of suspension via email.
Simultaneously, Rua Kids will contact all families with children at the setting and ask them to collect their children immediately. At all times we will liaise with the LADO following their guidance. Where possible, we will then liaise with the families to arrange alternative care by another local Rua Kids childminder.
The Agency is responsible for ensuring that a suspended childminder does not care for children during their suspension period, as this is against regulations. Rua Kids will carry out phone calls and other checks to ensure that the childminders are not breaking these regulations. If a suspended childminder does care for children during their suspension period this is an offence which may be prosecuted, and if they are found guilty they may be fined.
Rua Kids will cooperate with the appropriate authorities during any investigation that may occur during a childminder’s suspension period.
The Agency may have to cancel a childminder’s registration following a period of suspension and will follow the procedures detailed in the cancellation procedure below. It is important that any decision by the Agency to suspend a childminder’s registration can be checked by an independent body. Childminders may appeal their suspension to the Tribunal (Health, Education and Social Care Chamber), and the Agency will provide childminders with details of how to do this.
Extension of suspension
If we cannot complete our regulatory activity within the prescribed six-week period, we may extend the suspension. In this case, the extended suspension should not be for a continuous period exceeding 12 weeks in total, unless one of the following situations applies:
– We decide to cancel the provider’s registration, either by notice or by an emergency application to a magistrate
– We are unable to complete our regulatory activity for reasons beyond our control, for example when we are not the lead agency looking into the matter
Procedures for cancelling a childminder’s registration, and handling a childminder’s request to terminate their registration with the agency
The Agency will provide childminders with written notice of our intention to cancel their registration, via email. The notice of intention will lay out the reasons for the cancellation and any notice period afforded to the childminder.
If the Agency discovers that one of our registered childminders has become disqualified from registration by regulations under Section 75 of the Childcare Act 2006, then cancellation will happen with immediate effect.
In these cases, written notice of cancellation will be given to the childminder as above and the Agency will inform Ofsted or any Agency that the childminder chooses to register with of the details of the cancellation. These are:
- Use of corporal punishment on a child
- Being under the influence of alcohol or any other substance that could affect the childminder’s ability to care for children
- Failure to notify the Agency of any police conviction or caution for themselves or anyone associated with their childminding setting
- Failure to notify the Agency of any allegation made against themselves or anyone associated with their childminding setting
- Failure to notify the Agency about a material change in their health which may risk their ability to safely care for children
- Leaving any child with an unauthorised person at any time
- Authorised people are: the childminder; any qualified assistants that are registered with Rua Kids; another registered childminder authorised by Rua Kids to do so (only in an emergency)
When childminders request to terminate their registration
A childminder may give notice to Rua Kids if they wish to terminate their registration with the Agency for whatever reason. The childminder must inform the Agency in writing and must give 12 weeks notice of termination. Any outstanding fees must be paid to the Agency before the end of the notice period.
Childminders will not be granted permission to terminate their registration if; they are under a notice of intention to cancel, under a notice of decision to cancel or are subject to suspension.
Procedures for suspending a childminder’s registration and potentially for handling an appeal against the suspension by a childminder
If there is reasonable belief of ‘risk of harm’ to any child, or if any allegation is made, Rua Kids will suspend the relevant childminder with immediate effect and will contact the Local Authority Designated Officer. In this event, the Agency will follow the relevant Local Authority Social Services procedures and will seek advice from the Local Authority Designated Officer.
If Rua Kids decide to suspend a childminder this will have immediate effect and the Agency will initially contact the childminder via telephone to let them know of the suspension. The Agency will also provide written notice of suspension via email.
Simultaneously, Rua Kids will contact all families with children at the setting and ask them to collect their children immediately. At all times we will liaise with the LADO following their guidance. Where possible, we will then liaise with the families to arrange alternative care by another local Rua Kids childminder.
The Agency is responsible for ensuring that a suspended childminder does not care for children during their suspension period, as this is against regulations. Rua Kids will carry out phone calls and other checks to ensure that the childminders are not breaking these regulations. If a suspended childminder does care for children during their suspension period this is an offence which may be prosecuted, and if they are found guilty they may be fined.
Rua Kids will cooperate with the appropriate authorities during any investigation that may occur during a childminder’s suspension period. The Agency may have to cancel a childminder’s registration following a period of suspension and will follow the procedures detailed in the Cancellation Policy below.
It is important that any decision by the Agency to suspend a childminder’s registration can be checked by an independent body. Childminders may appeal their suspension to the Tribunal (Health, Education and Social Care Chamber), and the Agency will provide childminders with details of how to do this.
The flowchart below illustrates the actions to be taken when there are allegations about an agency registered childminder.
The childminder agency’s procedure for dealing with complaints
Complaints policy
Who can file a concern or complaint
Anyone who has a concern about a child’s welfare can raise a concern or a complaint about a childminder, a household member or any person living or working on the premises where children are cared for.
Informal process
If you have a concern that can be dealt with informally please raise this confidentially with the Customer Service team, by calling 0208 050 5678 or emailing care@korukids.co.uk, and they will be happy to give advice.
Formal Process
Stage 1
If you have a concern that either cannot be raised using the informal process as it is too serious or you are not satisfied with the informal process, please raise the concern as below:
- A complaint can be made by sending an email to this address: support@korukids.co.uk, by telephoning 0208 050 5678 or by writing to Rua Kids at:
Rua Kids Ltd,
Kemp House,
160 City Road,
London,
EC1V 2NX
- A senior member of management, or our Designated Safeguarding Officer, will contact you to discuss your complaint.
- If necessary an investigation will be conducted. The outcome of the investigation will be notified to the complainant within 28 days.
Stage 2
If you are not happy with the outcome following the stage 1 process you should:
- Write to Rachel Carrell CEO detailing the reasons that you are unsatisfied.
- The complaint will be investigated and the outcome of the investigation will be shared with the complainant within 28 days.
Stage 3
If following stages 1 and 2 there is still dissatisfaction then Ofsted can be contacted via telephone 0300 123 123 1 or at the following address:
The National Business Unit
Ofsted
Piccadilly Gate
Store Street Manchester
M1 2WD
Confidentiality and Data Protection
When handling the complaint, all information provided by the family and the childminder will be dealt with the required confidentiality, all according to our Data Protection Policy and Privacy Policy.
How the complaints procedure is publicised
The Complaints Policy will be published on the Agency website.
A description of any arrangements the childminder agency may have for offering parents alternative provision when one of its registered providers is unable to provide childcare as a result of sickness or for other reasons
In the situation where a childminder falls ill and is unable to open their setting the following day, they must inform the parents as soon as possible. Parents are welcome to organise alternative childcare if they wish, but this is at the parents’ discretion. Rua Kids may offer an introduction to other registered childcare providers and the parents can choose to make use of these options if they wish.
In the situation where a childminder falls suddenly seriously ill while looking after the children, they must call the parents immediately so that they can come and collect their children. They must also notify Rua Kids immediately, so that we can also continue to contact parents to ensure a rapid collection of their children. If the parents cannot be contacted, then the childminder and Rua Kids will contact the emergency contacts for the parents.
If the childminder and Rua Kids are unable to get hold of the parents, or the parents’ emergency contacts, then the childminder’s emergency back up must be contacted. The childminder’s emergency back up will be another registered childminder who Rua Kids have previously connected them with.
If the childminder’s emergency back up cannot be contacted, then the relevant Local Safeguarding Board must be contacted.
A description of any additional services or facilities offered by the childminder agency.
The Rua Kids childminder agency is part of Koru Kids Ltd, an organisation on a mission to create a world where anybody can access the perfect childcare for their whole family to flourish.
Childminders who choose to register with Rua Kids childminder agency and their families will also be able to access additional services provided by Koru Kids. This includes services in addition to those already described in this Statement of Purpose, including:
- After school and part-time nanny services
- In future, we plan to create an app which will aim to eliminate all the typical headaches of managing childcare, including: shift submissions and approvals, activity banks and ongoing training for childcarers. It may also contain simple payment statements; secure photos and videos; EYFS tracking and support; the ability to easily book extra care; dedicated premium customer support.
- Family billing: families engaged with registered providers pay through our online platform, which ensures childcare providers always get paid on time. Childcare providers can also log extra payments incurred (for example, late pick up fees, trips, expenses etc.)
- Rua Kids childminder agency provides all registered providers with free family contracts that they can choose to use