Data Protection

It is likely that your work as a childcare / early years provider means that you keep details about other people on a computer. If you haven’t already done so, you may need to notify the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) that you are a “data controller” for data protection purposes.

The ICO suggests that providers’ data protection responsibilities under the Data Protection Act are as follows:

·        If you keep all your childcare records on paper, you do not need to notify the Information Commissioner under the Data Protection Act.

·        If you keep information about the names, ages and addresses of children and their parents, details of any payments, or any data for staff administration on a computer, purely for accounts and records purposes, you are also exempt from notification.

·        But, if you keep more extensive records, or information of a more sensitive nature, for example about children’s health, behaviour or development on a computer, then you need to contact the ICO to find out if you need to notify.

We strongly recommend that if you are in any doubt as to your responsibilities you should contact the ICO as soon as possible for their advice.

You can check whether you need to notify the ICO, and also complete your notification online at www.ico.gov.uk. Alternatively you can request the forms by calling the Notification Helpline on 01625 545740 or 08456 306060.

There is a cost of £35 per year to be registered.