SCMA is aware of an issue with the UK-wide childcare voucher supplier Sodexo, and SCMA members may have received a data agreement notification from Sodexo asking them to establish and sign an agreement with Sodexo.
It is thanks to our colleagues at PACEY (Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years), who support childminders in England and Wales, the issue with Sodexo has hopefully been resolved for childminders both north and south of the border.
Applying to childminders in Scotland, England and Wales, PACEY has stated: “The information distributed by Sodexo to all childcare providers using their service is incorrect. PACEY has since been in contact with Sodexo to raise this as a concern.”
In response to PACEY, Sodexo has issued the following statement: “The protection of child data is our utmost priority and therefore we need to ensure this is at the core of our GDPR approach.
“We have listened to the feedback from our childcare providers and realise that our communications appear a little over-complicated. We're therefore working on a more straightforward solution and we will be communicating this within the next few days.”
SCMA has been advised that childminders who use Sodexo will have received communication directly from them clarifying the situation; explaining that no action is now required from you.
Sodexo said: “Going forward, when you receive a payment from us [Sodexo], your remittance advice will contain a statement explaining that, by accepting payment, you agree to protect child data and take the appropriate measures to ensure it is not mishandled, misused or shared with others without permission from Sodexo and the parents involved.
“So, to reiterate, you no longer need to return any forms to us [Sodexo] regarding GDPR.”
SCMA will continue to work alongside our colleagues at PACEY and keep childminders in Scotland aware of any updates, should they occur in the future.
Stay tuned to
childminding.org for the latest.