to pay friend for childcare?

[cheesypastafortea]

Name changed as potentially outing.

I am hoping to return to work but I am having trouble finding childcare for my youngest for one afternoon a week after a half day at nursery. I need someone who can collect from school and keep him till I can collect.

I have looked at alternatives such as staying on at nursery. - but they can only offer another full 2.5 days... the school has excellect wrap around care so I haven’t been able to find any childminders who do pick ups - unless I pay for a full time place in addition to the school nursery...

I have a friend who is a SAHM whose children attend the same school as mine. WIBU to ask her if she will collect DC2 when she drops off her youngest and keep him all afternoon and collect DC1 later when she collects her kids.

The post is a short term contract so I’d only need a temporary arrangement - perhaps only 8 days in total. Friend is not a registered child minder. Is it ok to pay her ( the going rate obviously) as it is only a temporary arrangement?

If you're going to ask her then I wouldn't do it face to face as she may feel obliged to say yes when she doesn't actually want to. It may only be c8 times but it's full afternoons...

also by would it be all right to pay I mean in a legal sense not that I would ask her to do it without pay IYSWIM. She is very short of cash and looking for ways to make a bit extra if that makes a difference?

Definitely ask her in an email with a clear - just say no...

There is a limit (which I forget), below which you can pay an unregistered childminder for 'babysitting' so you may be ok. Sure you can google it (eg Ofsted).
However what you're asking is a big ask, she may not want to. She's a SAHM because she wants to not work and be there for HER children.
If she wanted to do paid childcare she most likely would be already.

I could be wrong... but I think that if your friend is looking after your child at her house for more than two hours at a time then she would need to be Ofsted registered, if you were paying her. Otherwise it’s not legal. At your house it would be ok as she would be classed as a nanny/ sitter. Definitely worth checking the rules on this.

You could always ask her if she knows anyone who would be interested - that way she has the opportunity to offer & isn't being asked directly.

good idea range rider

The legal limit is 2 hours a day paid childcare before you have to be registered with ofsted. Payment 'in kind' is legal (firewood, wine, shopping etc - but not gift vouchers).

However, for a one-off contract of 8 days, I shouldn't think you need to worry about it too much. Nobody will boggle at this, although you couldn't do it long term on a regular basis.

Yes, the 2 hours rule is if it's in her home. In yours, that rule doesn't apply.

Payment 'in kind' is legal (firewood, wine, shopping etc - but not gift vouchers).
Now I'm really hoping that OP says 'could you look after my child? I'll give you a pile of firewood every week'

I was once paid a boot-load of logs for unofficial childcare 😊 I was not childminding at the time but needed the money and wanted to oblige a friend/old customer.

Also it sounds like from what you said that you’re also asking her to give up her child free time. I wouldn’t ask anyone to do that I’m afraid.