Friend wants to pay me to have her dd (9) but i'm not registered and i'm on jsa

[TheOriginalNutcracker]

I know i don't have to be registered to care for over 8's so thats fine, but can i then claim to be a self employed childminder to the tax people or not ?? If i can then i can sign of from jsa which would be fab.

I do eventually want to register properly but i can't afford the first aid course or the cypop (is that right) course atm.

I would have thought so....

You don't need to be registered to look after a 9 year old for financial gain, so that side is not a problem.

So I suppose as long as you disclose your earnings to the Tax people there is really no problem at all. Obviously your JSA will stop, as you will be earning.

Oh yes thats fine. I want to come off jsa asap as it is driving me mad.

Someone else has just said to me though, wouldn't i have to be charging my friend min wage, as otherwise she'd get done for paying me less than she shouold.

I never thought that was the case with being self employed. Obviously i wouldn't not be charging minimum wage per hour as it's too much.

Minimum wage would not apply assuming you would be providing the childcare at your own home, not the child's home.

Your friend could not use tax credits or childcare vouchers as you are not registered - they probably know that already, though thought it worth mentioning.

Thank's, my friend can't claim childcare vouchers or wtc so that's not a problem anyway.

I would be doing the care in my home, so it's good to know the min wage thing doesn't apply.

Going to have another chat with my friend later, and then speak to the jobcentre when i go tomorrow .

At least if I am earning some money I will be able to afford to do the other stuff that I need to do to get registered properly

Job Center may want to see a business plan, forecast profit loss. Talk to them about starting your own business, they may be able to send you on some courses such as basic level bookkeeping.

Do lots of research so you know how much it will be costing you to provide the service.

Ohh ok, hadn't thought about that, but can ask them tomorrow.

Will jot some things down before I go too.

You also would have to register as self employed to pay national insurance and tax yearly

Ask your local authority if they will fund your start up course and first aid course, to help you get off jsa. They might ...

Oh yes, i knew i'd have to do that mary, but thats fine.

I will ask about grants too as it is the only thing stopping me starting the process of registering.

Some links that may be useful:
Class 2 National Insurance
HMRC Starting in Business
NCMA Become a Childminder
BromleyCMA Example Policies & Procedures

Something to consider... if you care for this friends child and not any other children, then would you be any better off than claiming JSA? It will depend on the number of hours involved and the amount of money you charge.

Take into account any other benefits you may get, are those reliant on you claiming JSA?

Half my message was missing there! Sorry about the shortness!

I will type again...

You will need to registered as self employed to pay tax and insurance, I pay £2.50 per week national insurance, I doubt if you will have to pay tax as your income will be very low
Also, it may be worth registering as a childminder, as you may start looking after your friends child and think of carrying on, if you speak to your local childcare services they will be able to tell you if they are running any start up courses.

Not sure if the grants are still going due to the cuts, I registered a couple months ago and got it so you may get lucky!

Half my message was missing there! Sorry about the shortness!

I will type again...

You will need to registered as self employed to pay tax and insurance, I pay £2.50 per week national insurance, I doubt if you will have to pay tax as your income will be very low
Also, it may be worth registering as a childminder, as you may start looking after your friends child and think of carrying on, if you speak to your local childcare services they will be able to tell you if they are running any start up courses.

Not sure if the grants are still going due to the cuts, I registered a couple months ago and got it so you may get lucky!