Conseratory/lean to?? do i need permission to use??

[Mummyto2xx]

I am a childminder and have just moved into a new house and am concidering having a conservatory or lean to builkt of my living room to use as a play room for the children and to keep all the toys in etc, one of my friends has just had one built and said ofsted said she cant use it unless she has a variation for the extra space?? does anyone know if this is correct? i would have thought extra space would have been a big positive for the children more space to play nd more child friendly as all set out as a play room obviously i would need to risk assses as with other room children are using but thought thats all it would require.

also do you know if you can claim some of the costs of building the room if i was going to be built for the childminding playroom or would this then be classed as buisness rates etc??? all soo confusing lol hope id int waffel on too much and sorry for the sp im trying to quickly write this before mindees wake up :0p

I don't understand the variation thing? But I do know if we change the structure of our house they need to check they are still happy it's safe etc. Could that be what she meant? No idea about business expenses though?

You need to update the area that has been registered with ofsted, if you send a set of plans or a description with all risk assessments for during building and after etc, then they will add it to the registered area.Just speak to them about your plans it shouldn't be a problem.

You can't claim it as an expence unless you as a family are never going to use it, but if you want to be sure speak to hmrc.

yeh thats what i was thinking inform them of the detsails etc sand risk assesments,
i would like to make it as just a playroom for me to use whilst childminding and not for my home/family useso therefore was wundering if i was able to claim the expenses for building it etc?? but freiends have said it would be classesd as buisness and u have to have a whole different set of accounts etc is this right?
if i wouldnt be able to claim it just fior childming then would use it for family life also may aswell

If you are a registering childminder OFSTED will register what ever parts of your house you & they think appropriate

If you are a registered childminder you can use the conservatory/extension after risk assessments have been done (while it's being built and once it is completed) & OFSTED have approved it

I have done both

The costs are more complicated but generally it isn't a good idea to get involved in capitol costs (building costs mortgage) unless you have accountancy help - imo

yeh im registered with ofsted,so would they come out and check over the new build before they would say if its ok for the children to use it? or would i just send pics etc to them? thanks :0)

You need to risk assess both the build (before you start & while it's happening) and then risk assess it after it's finished

If they like your risk assessments they won't come out; if they don't they will

You need to speak to them at the planning stage before you commit

so i would need to give them a ring and inform them before i start?
cool thanks for the info

You can but you'll need to Risk Assess the building process and then write and tell Ofsted its completed and send them another Risk Assessment (as you do for all the rooms in the house)and wait for Ofsteds approval before using it. It'll need to be heated or the children can not use it for play.Phone your planning department to check if you need planning permission; best to say its going to be used by your family too not just for business though.