Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Childminding ill children

29 replies

Sadbri · 08/11/2017 14:52

I’m looking into opening up a childminding business but a little different. I realised that when a child is ill parents will normally have to have a day off. What I was looking was giving parents the option to drop their ill children off to my house for me to care for them. Also cover emergency childcare too within my own home at the same time but making parents aware of other illnesses in the house. However as it’s ad hoc and I’ll only be caring for them when they are ill.
A. As it’s ad hoc and not regular do I still count as a childminder. I can’t find this out online.
B. With regards to the different illnesses would I have to set up precautions for health and safety.
C. Has anyone else done this?

If you can help at all so I know where I stand and if this type of childcare is an option. Thank sadie

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Original poster
Sadbri · 08/11/2017 16:09

I’ve worked in a nursery for 4 years and got my first aid training that’s about all the medical training I have.
I considered giving the children their own rooms in my house as I have 2 spare rooms. Therefore would minimise children passing an illness on.
I wasn’t too sure how OFSTED would take this as I know they may frown upon it.
I was going to give it a trial once my baby is 9 months old as I’m still thinking long term doing this when she’s about 2. Personally having worked in a nursery I’ve managed to hold up a rather good immune system only getting ill once a year if that.
Depending on how busy I get will depend if I do this from home but will defiantly start going to parents homes first as a trial.

OP posts:
Kentnurse2015 · 08/11/2017 15:11

It would be very tricky to set up yourself I think with the issues of contamination. Going to other people's homes would be a better idea.

Personally, if one of my children is unwell then I prefer myself or my husband to be with them as they only want their mum or dad anyway but I get this isn't ideal for all. I think I'm lucky that my children don't get sick generally. If I needed a lot of time off work then a service like yours could be invaluable.

Maybe it's quite a good plan actually!

Lolalovespugs · 08/11/2017 15:07

Ofsted would not be happy about you putting children at risk of illness. They are very hot on this and will take a dim view of the cross infection risks.

You will need to be Ofsted registered to work from home.

In your shoes I would set up as an ad hoc self employed nanny to care for the children in their own home. Someone where I live does this and keeps quite busy dividing her time between childcare emergencies and ad hoc care.

2014newme · 08/11/2017 14:58

Do you have any medical training if you're setting up a service minding sick kids?
How will you manage the risk of you catching the illnesses or cross contamination e.g child you're caring for who has diarrhoea passes the bug to a child you're caring for who has flu? Or your kids catch these bugs?
Yes you need to be ofsted registered
How will you manage financially if you have times when you have no sick kids to mind

The biggest issue I can see is that you're cons sick yourself from exposure to sick kids. Obviously medical staff in hospital have the same risk bit not all. Hospital patients have infectious illnesses and they have the training and systems to control infection.

Swipe left for the next trending thread