Nurseries voice criminal record check cost worries

The cost of criminal record checks for early years staff must
continue to be met by the government if they are not to become a
barrier to recruitment, the National Day Nurseries Association has
warned.

In its response to the consultation on a post-Bichard vetting
scheme, the NDNA welcomes the proposal to extend the categories of
positions subject to compulsory checks, but warns that passing any
associated costs on to individuals would “unfairly penalise the
sector”.

“We believe the post-Bichard vetting scheme will have a positive
impact,” said chief executive Purnima Tanuka. “But CRB checks must
be kept free to child care providers in order to ensure their
viability and sustainability.”

Meanwhile the National Association of Connexions Partnerships urged
a more cautionary approach to plans to effectively make lists of
people barred from working with children and vulnerable adults open
access, warning that such an approach had the potential to create
“witch-hunts”.