Can I pay someone who is not ofsted registered to look after my dc's?

[SilveryMoon]

I'm a bit out of touch with current laws surrounding this and a google search threw up lots of different answers.

If not, can I have someone who is not ofsted registered look after my children without being paid?

different strokes for different folks :)

Star I always appreciate your well thought out, measured posts

[proffers flowers]

You mean rambling, repetitive, disorganised posts I've re read and must proof read

thank you for the flowers :)

Moon - may I just say I genuinely care about all the children I childmind, and treat them, up to a certain degree, as if they were my own.

MJB, of course you care for them, I can't see how it'd be possible not to.
My friends sister is a childminder, she is fab and like you genuinely loves the children she cares for.

I suppose we can all only make decisions on what we feel is right for our own children.
My plan is to gradually move both my ds's to a nursery. Ds1 is at nursery every afternoon so soon I will send ds2 a few mornings a week and go from there, if my friend is ok to continue. This was only ever a temporary set up but seeing how well my children have adjusted, I am happy to continue for as long as she is

MJB, of course you care for them, I can't see how it'd be possible not to.
My friends sister is a childminder, she is fab and like you genuinely loves the children she cares for.

I suppose we can all only make decisions on what we feel is right for our own children.
My plan is to gradually move both my ds's to a nursery. Ds1 is at nursery every afternoon so soon I will send ds2 a few mornings a week and go from there, if my friend is ok to continue. This was only ever a temporary set up but seeing how well my children have adjusted, I am happy to continue for as long as she is

As a nanny it is in my own interest to reccomend proffessional childcare but I toowould choose a close family member or friend over a proffessional childcarer as they have natural ties with the child. But then I come from a close and loving family.