Childminding by friend?

[CarrieG]

OK, I've a feeling this might be contentious, with so many registered childminders in this section - but can anyone advise me as to pros/cons of getting a friend to childmind on an unofficial basis?

My mate's a SAHD - dh & I are friendly with him & his dp, who works fulltime...they've babysat our ds (3 months), we've looked after their dd (18 months).

We're currently discussing the possibility of chum looking after ds when I go back to work (ds will be 6 months). I'd honestly be happier leaving ds with someone he knows than with a strange child minder (our friend is a great dad to his own daughter, & we trust him completely) - but does he have to register with Ofsted if he looks after our son in addition to his own toddler?

He's previously worked in education & ultimately plans to return to doing so, so he might not be averse to registering with Ofsted - but this is going to be very much a trial arrangement whilst I satisfy the contractual return to work requirements of my maternity pay & dh & I grab some breathing space to decide if someone's ultimately giving up work, & if so, who.

We're happy to pay him & intend to do so - can anyone tell me what the legal situation is if we come to a private, temporary arrangement with our friend? Are we breaking the law by paying him to look after ds?

Sorry to be so ignorant - I know in many ways it'd be easier to find a professional childminder, but ds is used to & happy with our friend!

[Fran1]

Yes anyone with the exception of grandparents have to register with ofsted before looking after someone elses child on a regular basis.

[cab]

CarrieG I'm in Scotland where the situation may be different - and I'm no expert. But here goes. My understanding is that if your friend comes to your house you can virtually do whatever you want, but if your ds goes to the friend's house and the friend is paid he should be a registered childminder.
It can take a long long time to get registered and the problem is if your friend doesn't go through the process and is 'reported' to the local council it could compromise his return to an educational career later. Perhaps if your friend is already a teacher the process could be speeded up but I know of 2 folk in our village who waited over a year to get registered and gave up. (One looked after another friend's child while she was waiting, was reported and given stiff warnings etc, but now does it without pay.).
So if you do go ahead with the arrangement with the friend (at his house) I would keep it very quiet and pay cash in hand for his sake. If you're eligible for part of your childcare costs to be paid you won't be able to use him cos it will have to be a registered childminder.
HTH.

[mummyloves]

Absolutelu no expert all all and I know Fran1 knows the rules, but I had thought about my friend who was a STAHM looking after my DS as well as her own and can't see the wrong init. If the "pay" makes a difference, can't you just provide him with " expenses" or the equivalent to stop him getting into trouble? Personally Ican;t see that if I wanted my "sister" to look afer my DS when I was working that would be anyone's business but my own. Probably am wrong though as probably some wacky European law that interferes. Sorry I can't help.

[bonkerz]

Fran 1 is right and he would have to be registered with OFSTED and attend a training course. I childmind for 2 friends children and it works out well.
Also if you are entitled to childcare credit then you can only claim is he was registered! So you could lose money if you pay him a wage as you cant claim it back and currently you can claim 70% of childcare costs so that might be a huge amount for you!
I only registered as a childminder so i could care for my friends children but i still have to have all the paperwork and training!
It is illegel to care for any child on a regular basis and get paid for it unless they are immediate family.

[AuntyQuated]

haven't read the rset of the thread but YES he needs to be registered, however there are some great advantages to be registered. off to scholl now but will look in later if you want more details (and will erad other posts)

[alibubbles]

Anybody looking after a child that is not related to them, for more than 2 hours at a time, for reward, monetary or otherwise has to be registered by law. He could be liable for a fine of £1000. He needs to have insurance to cover your child.

It should take a maximum of 3 months to get registered now, I am a buddy for new childminders and attend Ofsted training courses to meet prospective minders, so know how the process works.

Looking after friends children has more problems than most, it is fine when it works well, but sometimes money becomes an issue, lateness etc.

I think it is great for a man to look after children, we have many male childminders inour area, that don't work with their wives either. It is best for him to register. lots of childminders report unregistered minders, because they are concerned about the welfare and safety of the children, not for any malice, it is not worth the risk..

[AuntyQuated]

added to everyhting that alibubbles says in our area new childminders are given set-up grants enabling them to buy equipment such as fire gurads, stair gates, travel cots etc. they are also given equipmnet such as fire blankets, multicultural books, toys, art and craft equipment. they also receive free liability insurance for 12 months, which is a legal requirement. every 3 months they host a variety of courses on a saturday (free creche); these cover all sorts first aid/nutrition for babies/crafts for Christmas - the practical courses are brilliant and you come away with a bag of goodies as well as loads of ideas.
in our area i would recommend any SAHM/SAHD to register as a childminder purely for the rasons above.

[CarrieG]

Thanks for all that - very helpful to have the facts!

Shall have to discuss it further with friend: our main reason for wanting to do things, ahem, 'informally' was that we'd talked about a temporary arrangement until the start of school summer hols (when I shall be free to look after ds), & then to make a decision as to what to do from September. Clearly going to have to re-think that if the poor chap could be busted & face a massive fine!

[KatieMac]

If he's at your house - then he would be within the law

[CarrieG]

Good idea, but I don't think it'd work - my 6 month old (by then) ds would be able to wreak far less havoc on mate's house than his nearly 2 year old dd could on mine! I suspect that coming home to a house that mate's dd had spent the day in might rather strain a beautiful friendship - she's a nice little girl, but at the stage where she's into everything - rather like having a small cuddly bomb go off in your living room...

[jampot]

Carrie - i minded for my friend (& neighbour)'s 2 kids about 4 years ago as I always had them for her (too often) - it wrrecked our friendship so please be careful

[CarrieG]

Yeah, I think the cons are starting to outweigh the pros. Basically I don't want to leave ds with ANYONE, at ALL - but at least friend is a frequent visitor to our house, has babysat etc, so it feels less like abandoning him with a stranger.

Just having a slightly shaky couple of days as been into school to set date for return & realised that my initial glib plan to deposit ds in nursery (place reserved, neighbours use it & speak very highly of it) was going to involve me leaving ds (who currently throws wobbly if I'm out of the room, even) with total strangers, 7am-4pm, 5 days a week. Aaaaargh! I'm actually sure he'll be fine, it's me being a bit wet about it & desperately seeking alternatives!