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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Childminding home educated children

15 replies

jussi · 14/02/2012 21:59

hello,
I was wondering if any of you could help me.I'm looking into becoming a childminder but for children who are home-educated.(ie.older children).
Do the same rules apply re registering? Not sure if anyone will be able to help me but worth a try.
I have mentioned this on the home ed board and there does seem to be a market for it but just wondering about the legalities.
Thanks for any info.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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south345 · 14/02/2012 22:05

I checked with ofsted as I have a 6 year old who is currently between schools so effectively not in education and he counts as a 5-8 even though not in education. Are you planning to have under 8 year olds? if so you will have to register if you fit the other criteria (sorry can't do links but in the ofsted website), it's voluntary if you're only caring for over 8's.

confusedpixie · 15/02/2012 08:17

I don't know but am watching with interest, this is what I want to do in a few years time when I have my own children.

MrAnchovy · 15/02/2012 10:07

Not entirely sure what you are saying there - when would you look after the older children? Would they be doing any education-related activities while they are with you?

As south345 says, childminding for children 8 years and over is not regulated, although you can register on the voluntary part of the childcare register which would make it possible for parents to use childcare vouchers or the childcare element of working tax credit to pay you.

However if you are providing education you may need to register as a school.

As you probably already know, Local Authorities are often perceived as unsupportive towards home education, and some LA childcare coordinators are less flexible than others regarding their support for childminders. Put the two together and you could be in for a hard time!

HSMM · 15/02/2012 10:28

if their parents are providing the education then you would just treat them the same as any other minded child. I would be quite happy to include a home educated child in my setting.

Original poster

jussi · 15/02/2012 11:43

Thanks for the replies.I guess I need to read the ofsted pages thoroughly.
I would not be responsible for their education although activities and outings would be educational anyhow(as all childminders settings are).
I would obviously target the activities according to their age/interests.Luckily I have experience of this having been a primary school teacher for the last 10 years.

OP posts:

nannynick · 15/02/2012 18:47

Would parents who home educate their children be wanting a childminder? They may occasionally need someone to help out - say if one child was in hospital - but most of the time I can't see why they would be wanting a childminder... am I missing something? I just don't see there being much demand.

nannynick · 15/02/2012 18:48

Have you tried posting on Home Ed to see if any of the regular posters on there have views as to what demand there might be for a childminder? Also some of them may know quite a bit about home education related law, so may be able to offer wise words about how to comply with the home education rules.

thebody · 15/02/2012 19:03

Yes won't the children be home being home educated all day iucwim? Why would they need a cm?

HSMM · 15/02/2012 20:14

Plenty of home educators work, because education doesn't have to happen between 9 and 3 and doesn't take as long when it's 1:1.

Wiifitmama · 15/02/2012 20:17

There is defintitely a market for chIldming older home educated children. Many parents work part time and fit the children's education in around that. I think a lot of people rely in family and friends to help out, but a childminder would be a great option to have.

confusedpixie · 16/02/2012 08:42

I nanny a home ed child, the parents both work five day sets of shifts and there are two days that they can't cover between them if they want family time at any point (some overlapping time off) so they have me to cover that time. I can see why a childminder would be needed, especially as it would suit older children more if you specialised in older, home ed kids. You may need to think about opening hours that would suit local home ed families. Have a ask around your local home ed community if you can, the he boards would likely know contact details for your local groups :)

Noren · 25/02/2013 10:14

I keep considering doing this too - did you find anything out?

VikingLady · 27/02/2013 09:28

How is it going, op?

I'm training as a cm too, and have been thinking about this, especially as I will probably HE DD in the future. So watching with interest!

SouthernPolish · 01/03/2013 23:14

Also finding this very interesting! Was wondering if there is a market in my area for Home Ed Mindees. Will watch for more advice...

Tau · 02/03/2013 10:50

I have minded a few school aged home educated children - siblings, but they didn't always all come at the same time. I didn't provide education for them, but like you said, most activities are educational anyway.
I have always provided irregular hours, holiday childcare and on call minding, so it wasn't really any different. I find it nicest when I have the kids for a long uninterrupted time so I can take them out rather than sit around in the home.... we always had great fun!

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