To take payment for this?

[Flatbrokefornow]

I am utterly broke, even before my energy bills and mortgage go up at the end of this month. Skipping-meals-and-showers broke. I’m WFH (part-time employed, part-time self-employed. Self employed is improving but was hit by covid. Employed can’t offer more hours. We will be okay longer term, I think) and have a child just in high school.

A neighbour is looking for someone to drop off/pick up her child (who I know well) from primary school a few days a week and would like to pay me instead of wrap around care, because she doesn’t need regular days. She doesn’t get any childcare funding and thinks this ok, but I thought it wasn’t? With things as they are, I’m having a tough time thinking of turning it down. It would be easy for me to do, won’t interfere with my parenting or my working hours, and I would pay tax on the income. I can’t see other options (I’m already working all school hours) and it would help tremendously. The only other thing I can think of to do is sell my car, which would impact on my business. I don’t have any debt (except my mortgage) and have cut everything else for myself as far back as I can, although I do still pay for some small treats for my child. I’m a lone parent.

I should say no, shouldn’t I? But it would be better for all of us.

100% do it.

I think its good for you both so do it. As pp said women helping women to make the world work.

Agree with PP, just do it and don't over complicate. She obviously trusts you and wants you to do the job.

Why should you say no and why would you pay tax? As many other posters have said, it’s an unofficial arrangement between two neighbours. Basically one helping out the other and is willing to pay, there’s nothing wrong with that at all? I’d say go for it especially if it won’t intervene with your weekly schedule

Just do it @Flatbrokefornow It doesn’t have to be forever. If it makes you feel any better, could you request that she pays via a supermarket voucher of choice so you’re not exactly taking cash?

Im sure if it's for under 2 hours legally you don't have to do it formally or register with Ofsted etc.

Do it! Are you worried about needing to register as a childminder? You probably don’t but look into it. Nannies, aunpairs, and babystters don’t have to register. There is a certain amount of childcare you’re allowed to do per year for money without needing ofsted, have a google I’m not sure of details

If you are worried how about asking to be paid in gift vouchers for the local supermarket? My parents did something similar in the 80s when they were both made redundant.

I think you can do up to three hrs a day paid childcare without needing Ofsted registration

www.netmums.com/life/childcare-swaps-the-rules

The rules are at www.gov.uk/become-childminder-nanny

You're fine if they're at least 8, and also if you are "a family friend and you look after the children less than 3 hours a day".

Definitely do it. Both of you will win in this situation. I would have loved to have had a friend who would do that and would have expected to pay for it as well. I hope your business picks up quickly.

If I were struggling for money, I'd do it and keep quiet about it.

I would definitely be interested in doing this! Why not!

Do it and also make sure you're claiming everything you're entitled to re tax breaks and benefits of applicable.

You can legally care for someone else's child and get paid for it without having any qualifications or insurances as long as the childcare is for less than 3 hours a day. This information I'm.giving you is easily verified online by government website. A little.cash in hand job on the side sounds like it would be beneficial for you. Go for it!

I agree you should do it. It's a win win surely? For you and the other mum.

People have been handing a neighbor a bit of cash to help with the school run for generations. Same with having the neighbor kid mow pull some weeds or having someone watch the kids for a couple of hours on a Friday night. This sort of sporadic, small help isn’t the sort of thing the government ever intended to regulate. That we now see health inspectors and tax collectors cracking down on little kids selling lemonade is a world gone mad, not something to try to live up to.

Signed, an epically , uptight rule follower, who can still see that sometimes the rules can be too much

Do it take the money!

@NarcissasMumintheDoghouse

Go for it!

It is a win/win for the working women of the world. You are helping her with her work commitments, she is helping you out of a jam.

(Regulations, tax and all the rest can go to hell; this is an age-old tradition of women helping women with the child care. Until the government acknowledges the need for affordable (or state-provided), fit-for-purpose child care it should keep its nose out of the private reciprocal arrangements people make to keep going.)

Couldn’t have put it better.

[quote Thewindwhispers]I think you can do up to three hrs a day paid childcare without needing Ofsted registration

www.netmums.com/life/childcare-swaps-the-rules[/quote]
I cannot tell you how much you and @lanthanum have made my day. I was really uncomfortable with the unregistered childcare aspect - the policewomen case was what it was thinking of - and I didn’t know there had been updates! I should have done less handwringing and more googling!!

I will still put the money in my tax return, as I am scrupulous about my taxes (I am already part self-employed, so I don’t need to register, just add it into my current earnings. I don’t think I will earn enough to pay any tax anyway this year, sadly!!). I don’t qualify for any benefits because of self employment assets (which are all in my personal name) but if I sell them, things will never get better for us, and they are slowly picking up. I just need to get us through the next few months.

Thank you for your input. I didn’t feel so bad about accepting money right now, but it’s a long term commitment to help out my neighbour too, because it would also be unfair on her (and the child, who is thankfully over 8) to stop doing it because I felt it was morally wrong when we aren’t so broke! I shall forge ahead with a clear conscience and look forward to a bit less penny pinching soon!

Keep it as an informal agreement between friends and cash in hand (think of the cash as a thank you rather than a ‘salary’ especially as it’s irregular).

Lots of mums I know have arrangements like this.

Great update OP, I'm glad things will be easier for you now.