Frequently Asked Questions about the onboarding process
MY REFEREES SAY THEY HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED…
They have been contacted via email multiple times by our team. It is likely our emails are going to spam. To speed up the process, forward this link to them yourself:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1f20iMo6w8esnYzlZ5AJn3i2RbjhMzLqltaFBmNpG4T4/viewform?edit_requested=true&pli=1
CAN MY REFERENCES BE CHARACTER REFERENCES?
Yes and No. To be fully onboarded you must provide TWO references. If one of your references is professional and childcare related then yes, otherwise no.
DO MY REFERENCES HAVE TO BE CHILDCARE RELATED?
Yes, at least ONE out of TWO references must be childcare, which means: nanny, nursery, primary teacher, secondary teacher, sole charge, teaching assistant, baby sitter etc etc
HOW DO I OBTAIN AN ENHANCED DBS CHECK?
In order to start working with us you must possess a valid Enhanced DBS check, we do not accept Basic or Standard DBS. If your Enhanced DBS is not on the Update System and is older than 1 year, we do however accept an Enhanced DBS as old as 5 years. If you do not possess an Enhanced DBS, you can obtain one here:
https://rb.gy/ddkp8
The check will cost £52. We do require you to pay for this check as you have a freelance contract which means you are not obliged to do work for us so we can't guarantee a return if we pay for you. While this might seem like a lot you can earn back this cost after just 4 hours of work with us. Safety of children is paramount and so we unfortunately cannot give anyone work who does not have an Enhanced DBS check.
Please note that we do not take any commission from this as we are using third party Ucheck.
In addition to starting your DBS application, we will also need a few documents from you. These documents are required by the Disclosure and Barring Service to prove your identity and confirm your address. This is what we require:
Current Valid Passport
Current UK Driving License (Full or Provisional)
Bank or Building Society Statement 3 months old or less
***PLEASE NOTE THAT IF WE DO NOT RECEIVE THESE DOCUMENTS FROM YOU THEN WE CANNOT PROGRESS YOUR APPLICATION. AS SOON AS THESE ARE SENT OVER WE WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE THINGS FORWARD.
We recommend you follow this link and do not use another company, as DBS checks are more expensive with other providers.
CAN MY DBS BE BASIC OR STANDARD?
In order to start working with us you must possess a valid Enhanced DBS check, we do not accept Basic or Standard DBS. We will NOT accept a Basic or Standard DBS.
DO YOU ACCEPT DBS CHECKS FROM OVERSEAS?
No
DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR MY DBS?
Yes.The check will cost £52. We do require you to pay for this check as you have a freelance contract which means you are not obliged to do work for us so we can't guarantee a return if we pay for you. While this might seem like a lot you can earn back this cost after just 4 hours of work with us and we are sure you understand the importance of safety. Since the DBS is your own and will be delivered by post to your house, you can use this for any other childcare work you undertake outside of CocoRio. Please note that we do not take any commission over this cost, as we use third party Ucheck.
WHAT IS AN ENHANCED DBS CHECK?
An Enhanced DBS check is the highest level of criminal record check available in the UK. Enhanced DBS Checks are used to help employers make recruitment or suitability decisions on individuals who are going to be working in regulated activity with vulnerable individuals such as children. An Enhanced DBS check is only accessible to organisations making these decisions and will need a referral to be obtained. An individual cannot request an Enhanced DBS autonomously without a referral from an employer.
HOW DO I GET PAID?
Jobs booked by the CocoRio Agency
To be paid, you will need to send an invoice to admin@cocorio.co.uk with the subject title "invoice" followed by your last name. Please ensure all your invoices are dated! Invoices are paid on the last Friday of the month. Please make sure you send your invoice to us by the last Thursday of the month to ensure you are paid on time.
Jobs booked through the app
You will need to connect your card to the app to receive payment after a booking. Please follow the instructions here: https://cocorio.co.uk/about-us-creatives
WHEN DO I GET PAID?
Jobs booked by the CocoRio Agency
You will be paid on the last Friday of the month if you sent us your invoice before the last Thursday of the month.
Jobs booked through the app
You will be paid automatically within a week if you have connected your card to the app . Please follow the instructions here: https://cocorio.co.uk/about-us-creatives
HOW MUCH DO I GET PAID?
Please see pay outlined here: https://cocorio.co.uk/pay
WHAT IS AN INVOICE?
An invoice is not the same as a receipt, which is an acknowledgement of payment. The invoice must include certain information. Please use the template as a guide. You will only need to produce an invoice if you have been booked directly by the Agency. If your booking came through the app and you have already connected your card, there is nothing else you need to do.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE INVOICE TEMPLATE?
Here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o0KMj2NxMgZGaZQQVs8t1dM09D7Mu-r3/edit
WHY HAVEN’T I BEEN PAID ON THE LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH?
If you have sent your invoice to admin@cocorio.co.uk by the last Thursday of the month/day before pay day during working hours (9am-5.30pm) and the finance team queried it, the shift for the month has now ended (the finance team only works five days from the last Wednesday of the month to the following Tuesday). The next pay run is on the last Friday of the month so make sure to reply to their queries before then!
If you have sent your invoice after the terms, then it is automatically added to the following pay run and it will be paid the next last Friday of the month.
The finance team’s next working day is the last Wednesday of the month and they will respond to any emails/enquiries then.
Otherwise, please contact admin@cocorio.co.uk with the issue and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
HOW DO I REGISTER AS A SELF EMPLOYED?
STEP BY STEP GUIDE: https://www.gov.uk/set-up-self-employed
If you haven’t registered as self-employed before, then follow these step-by-step instructions:
Register online by creating a HMRC online account
You’ll receive a user ID
Log back into the HMRC online account, select “add a tax”, and then “Self Assessment”
Select “Sole Trader” from the options: individual, sole trader, partnership, or trust
Enter the date you started your self-employment
Submit more details, including your National Insurance Number (here’s how to get one)
Describe the work you do: “security guard”, “Uber driver”, “freelance designer”, etc
Review and click “submit”
You’ll get a letter with your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number by post
You’ll also receive another letter within 10 working days with an activation code. You’ll need this code to activate your UTR
You can also do this using the SA1 form: you can download it on HMRC’s website, fill it in, and send it by post. Bear in mind, this method takes additional time to reach HMRC.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO REGISTER AS SELF-EMPLOYED IN UK?
Registering as self-employed is free. While it is free for anyone to become self-employed, and all you will need to do is pay taxes each year via Self Assessment, you might want to consider getting self-employment insurance.
HOW DO I ACCESS THE CREATIVES AREA ON THE WEBSITE?
Via this link: https://cocorio.co.uk/creative-area (when you complete your onboarding you will receive the password to access it)
WHAT IS PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE?
Public liability protection covers injuries and damage claims brought against your business by a third party, whether caused at your own workplace/home, a client's workplace/home or elsewhere. Protection against these claims is at the very heart of this type of insurance.
DO I NEED PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE?
As part of our commitment to providing a high-quality service to both our nannies and the families we serve, we want you to know that CocoRio offers public liability insurance coverage.
This insurance provides coverage for up to £1 million in case of damage to the family's property during your time as a nanny. This means that in the unlikely event of an accident or damage occurring while you are caring for the children, the insurance will help cover the costs, ensuring peace of mind for both you and the families.
For any claims, please contact CocoRio first on 02081265577 or admin@cocorio.co.uk.
DO FAMILIES PAY FOR ART SUPPLIES AND CRAFT MATERIALS?
You are expected to bring your own magic bag which can be crafted with whatever you like. We suggest creating a bag with your ‘signature’ props which you can bring for each session so you do not incur a cost e.g. a magic hat, a ‘helper friend’ which can be a soft toy, some colourful ribbons etc. For specific requests from families and/or regular bookings, you may ask for some petty cash for materials, snacks for the children or any activities you’ve agreed to take their children too. This is between you and them so ensure you have an open discussion about how you would like this to work e.g. the family can reimburse you when you provide a receipt or they can give you a monthly allowance. Ensure you discuss this with them sensitively.
DO I GET REIMBURSED FOR TRAVEL EXPENSES?
Families are not required to cover travelling costs but are usually happy to do so if the job requires a lot of travelling. This is a conversation between you and the family.
DO I GET REIMBURSED FOR BUYING RESOURCES/MATERIALS FOR MY CREATIVE SESSIONS? If the family has asked for a specific activity which requires materials, you can ask them to source these or alternatively buy them yourself. This is between you and them so ensure you have an open discussion about how you would like this to work e.g. the family can reimburse you when you provide a receipt or they can give you a monthly allowance. Ensure you discuss this with them sensitively. We encourage you to as much as possible use materials that are already found in the home e.g. in the pantry (flour, dried pasta), recycling bin etc
HOW DO I OBTAIN A FIRST AID CERTIFICATE?
You can obtain a FREE First Aid Certificate with our partners:
https://www.firstaidforfree.com/
HOW DO I OBTAIN A SAFEGUARDING CERTIFICATE?
SAFEGUARDING TRAINING:
Fully Funded, 9 weeks, proof of employment, official LEVEl 2 certificate. £125 fee if not completed.
https://www.learningcurvegroup.co.uk/courses/learners/level-2-course-understanding-safeguarding-prevent?utm_source=reed&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=reedcourses&utm_content=safeguardingprevent
Fully funded, 2-3 hrs duration, cancellation fee
https://freecoursesinengland.co.uk/understanding-safeguarding-and-prevent/
COCORIO SAFEGUARDING TEST:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfpeWcy4IRcEXvHY52hsLxl30UDWMLocwa2mZXun0dKopjuQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
YOUTUBE SAFEGUARDING COURSE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvVNJI7Jc-I
HOW MANY YEARS OF CHILDCARE EXPERIENCE DO I NEED TO BE ABLE TO JOIN COCORIO?
Two years
HOW WILL I FIND OUT ABOUT JOBS?
More info once you will complete your onboarding!
Save our email info@cocorio.co.uk to receive emails about jobs once you are onboarded (save them and check your spam and junk folder)
DISCLAIMER: if you have not completed your HR checks (Enhanced DBS, ID check, Right To Work and References) you will not be booked for jobs until you do. You can always let us know your interest though, and we will help you speed up the process!
WHY AM I NOT RECEIVING EMAILS?
Check your SPAM folder! To avoid our emails going to spam please add the following emails to your contacts:
FOR JOBS: info@cocorio.co.uk
FOR ADMIN AND FINANCE: admin@cocorio.co.uk
TALENT ACQUISITION: antonella@cocorio.co.uk
CAN I FILL IN THE ONBOARDING QUESTIONNAIRE ON MY PHONE?
No. This will only work on laptop or desktop
CAN I LEAVE SOME INFORMATION BLANK IN MY ONBOARDING QUESTIONNAIRE?
Yes. Unless specified otherwise.
WHAT IS A CREATIVE NANNY?
A creative nanny at CocoRio is someone who is experienced in looking after children but also has a creative background. Our creative nannies have the unique and fulfilling role to not only care for children, but also to support their overall development through personalised creative experiences. We’re providing the very best in creative experiences for kids, from babysitting and nannying where parents know their children are engaging in meaningful and beneficial activities while they are away, to entertainment and care at parties and events. All our creatives are professionals in their artistic fields, ranging from musicians, to actors, to dancers, to name but a few! They all are DBS-checked, fully first aid-trained and, most importantly, have extensive experience working with children, allowing their passion to shine through in any creative setting.
HOW DIVERSE IS COCORIO?
At CocoRio, we're all about nurturing future generations through creativity and providing meaningful part-time work to creatives. We pride ourselves in offering you jobs that fit around your creative careers and give you the flexibility of choosing the jobs that fit your current needs.
As a CocoRio creative, we encourage you to explore the recycling bin, the pantry and the park and use existing materials creatively before purchasing new materials. We LOVE upcycling! Our creatives also come from all over the world and have different creative expertises, child care experience, backgrounds and speak different languages. And we value each of their UNIQUE stories. The diversity in our books allows us to make perfect matches between families and creatives.
WHAT’S THE APPLICATION PROCESS?
Job application → Interview → Onboarding
I HAVE A QUESTION THAT IS NOT HERE, WHAT DO I DO?
Join our interview to get all your further questions answered
If you are employed by CocoRio to work at corporate partner jobs, please refer to your FAQs guide (coming soon, link to be sent)