Hypothetical question for parents but am interested to hear from CMs too

[washnomore]

If a friend who you know well and trust is in the process of registering as a childminder, and you needed childcare sorted out pronto, would you have her take on your kids before she was fully up and running? Obviously if money changes hands she could find herself in trouble. What are the other implications?

I would never work for friends in the first place- been there done that and it nearly always goes wrong. Sorry!

But in the case above no i wouldn't expect them to work to. They'd be working for free plus my children would be at risk with no insurance and no CRB's on adults they would come into contact with.

I know, the friends thing is difficult but where we are it's fairly rural and there aren't any CMs I don't know socially!

Yes, I wouldn't think twice about it. I would trust all my good friends with my children.

i dont see the issue

perhaps off to look after hers if she needs a day, for shopping / drs / hair appt etc.
If its just looking after a friends child as a favour, then there really shouldnt be an issue.

Cant see how children would be at risk.... and CRB only shows what you have been charged with, not what was never found out, and i wouldnt exoect any of my friends to produce a CRB before they looked after my children!

If her registration is going to take ages could you employ her as a nanny and she work from your house - you would have to sort out her tax and NI, and make sure you both have the correct insurance policies (nanny and employer liability). Nannies don't need to be registered unless you want to use childcare vouchers.

Yes I'd do it - the registration wouldn't stop me... BUT are you SURE this is a good idea?? It often turns to mush :(

would def go ahead personally - obv there are issues around insurance,ofsted might be ok i don't know and she can still pay tax

Do not reward her at all until she is registered but you could maybe accrue hours so when she is registered she can claim them back e.g. towards holiday weeks.

I know of people who have done this and been caught out it can affect their registration etc also can have legal implications.

Interesting. Thanks very much :)

A friend I met though an antenatal group is my DD's childminder. It is great. TBH we weren't particularly close which helped but it did mean I had an insight into what she was really like with children etc.

I did wait until she was registered before DD went to her though. The only awkward thing is that we have now stopped seeing each other on my day's off as I never want to suggest we do anything in case it feels like work to her or like she can't say no. But for me the friend/childminder thing has so far worked out well. We were her first client's too.

Never work for friends or family

But if you do continue then she can come to your house and be a nanny till her registration comes through