Long-awaited fee waiver is good news for voluntary childcare groups

Some months ago, many parents contacted me about volunteers in some pre-school childcare groups not being eligible to have their PVG (protection of vulnerable groups) check fee waived. In most of these cases, it was parents of the children attending the groups who were helping out voluntarily and being unfairly charged for doing so.

I am grateful to Alison McInnes, MSP, who helped highlight the situation in the Scottish Parliament and I am delighted to hear that changes should come in to force on 1 July meaning that people who had to pay the fee between 27 February 2011 and 30 June 2015 can apply for a refund.

Alison said  “Although it has taken longer than expected, I am glad that the changes are finally due to take place and those who did have to pay the fee will be able to get a refund. Education and socialisation of pre-school age children is crucial to their long-term development. Parents and carers should be encouraged to get involved and not deterred by additional costs.”

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