CMs - when do you need to be registered?

[Peppin]

Just wondering what the requirements are for registration as a CM, e.g. Do you have to be registered to do ANY childminding? Or is there a certain number of hours per day you can do before registering?

And if you should be registered, but aren't, what is the "punishment" if you're caught out and who ( which authority) would be the one to check up anyway!

Also I assume you are meant to have some PI insurance?

If less than 2 hours a day, or if between 6pm and 2am, then registration is not required.

What is it that you are proposing to do - how long would you be caring for children, are those children related to you, where would you be caring for them?

Thanks Nannynick. It's not me - a friend of mine has started looking after the kids of a neighbour after school (for payment) but she isn't registered and has no insurance. She picks them up from school and has them till about 6. She's completely relaxed about this and sees no need to register or do anything formal as "who's going to know?" but I am a bit worried about what her position would be if anything were to happen to any of these kids whilst in her care. In particular am worried about what the sanction may be from whatever authority is in charge of this sort of thing as she doesn't have a lot of money.

Do CMs normally have insurance for this? Is it expensive?

If she takes them back to the children's house rather than her own then she is not required to register and is a nanny rather than a childminder. In her own house for over 2 hours per day, she needs to register. Not sure about sanctions etc. I have just paid my public liability insurance and it was £25-£30.

Unless the children are over 8 years old

Age of the children is important - how old are they would you guess/or know?

Which country are you in? The regulator varies depending on where you live and will have a process for dealing with such situations. It may initially be a softly-softly approach such as making the person aware of the legislation and requesting that they stop providing care and complete registration.

It is in England, the kids are 9-10 and they are there 2.5 hours a day.

No registration is needed if the children are 8 or over.

Unregulated at those ages. Only care for under 8's is regulated.

In the event of something going wrong, she would be liable. If they were registered and had public liability insurance they would still be liable - insurance may or may not assist with things, depending on the situation.

Is there anything in particular you feel your friend is doing that could result in the children coming to harm?

No not at all - is just an arrangement between neighbours that suits both. But, bearing in mind that my own DD was once bitten by one of my friend's dogs at her house, I'm concerned that this family may look to apportion blame if anything were to happen during time they are paying for.