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Paid childcare

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

Becoming a nanny without being 'registered'

6 replies

TinyDiamond · 05/06/2012 11:12

I am due to return to my job after a year off on mat leave next week, am returning part time but for various reasons I'm not sure if it's going to work out.
Anyway, my daughter is coming up to 10 months old and I have been offered an opportunity to care for a very good friend's child too. There is just two weeks between our dds and we spend a lot of time together already.
Other mum has put other baby into a nursery but isn't 100% confident in this decision and wonders if home based care may be a better option.
For me obviously caring for both of them would be hard but I feel I may enjoy doing that more than my existing job.
However, leaving my job would be a huge decision and then if I was no longer needed to look after other child then I would be unemployed.
My question is if I do decide to go for it how do I go about it legally etc?
Care would be 3 days per week based from the other family's home.
I already have paed first aid and a crb due to the nature of my job (teacher) but am I correct in thinking i'd have to have separate ones?
Thanks, sorry it's long

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Runoutofideas · 05/06/2012 12:01

As long as you look after your friend's child in the child's own house then you are a nanny rather than a childminder and do not have to be registered. It is up to the parent whether they require you to have crb and paed first aid, but if they are recent I would think your current ones would be enough. The other family would have to employ you legally and pay tax etc. I would imagine you'd be looking at quite a pay cut, but if you can afford it, it could work really well.

callaird · 05/06/2012 12:20

A CRB is just paper for recycling once it has been printed! If your friend knows you well and trusts you, you do not need an up to date CRB - unless she needs you to be OFSTED registered.

The same with first aid, if it is less than 3 years old it will be fine unless she needs OFSTED.

I would advise you to get nanny insurance and you will need to be employed, she will have to pay tax, NI and employers NI.

Two little babies are so much different to one! You need to make sure that your ideas on raising a child are similar, feeding, sleeping, discipline (obviously down the line a bit) Who will provide the extras you will need, double buggy, highchair, travel cot at your friends. Who will pay for your child's food/classes? If you bring your child's food and then either of them won't eat because the others looks far more appealing? Or would you contribute to your friends shopping bill to feed your child? (just an aside, a nanny generally has her food during work hours, provided for!) If your friend wants her child to go to xx class but you feel it's too expensive/is at the wrong time for your child's nap/feed time?

I would check out this thread about the ups and downs of a nanny share, which your situation will be similar to.

What happens when you add siblings into the equation? Especially if you both fall pregnant around the same time, how will you manage two babies and two toddlers? How about getting them out and about?

One last thing, how close are you to this friend? You have to think about how your relationship will be affected if you or your child hurts/injures her child, whether accidentally or not. Or if you/your child are ill and you let her down at the last moment. If an employee phones in sick the employer can get grumpy but not a lot she can do about it, if it is your friend letting you down, it feels more of a slight, iykwim? What about if she is late home? If she's supposed to be home at 6pm and that gives you time to get home, bath and feed your baby and put him/her to bed in time to cook supper for you and your partner and then have a relaxing evening but she gets stuck at the office/in traffic and doesn't get home until 6:45, will your partner be able to collect your child so his routine is not too disturbed or will it all be thrown out, resulting in him needing to sleep later in the morning but not being able to? Your child will generally have to take second place to your friends needs.

Sorry, my post sounds like I am trying to discourage you, I just want you to think of all the negatives. Just make sure that you are both on the same page.

MrsBranestawm · 05/06/2012 12:22

It's a long time ago that I did this but it worked well. I employed a friend to be a nanny to my DCs. She came to my house and brought her DD with her. I drew up a contract - you can get a pro forma from books and websites - and paid tax and NI properly.

You just need to be sure that you trust each other and that you can have frank conversations without falling out.

MrsBranestawm · 05/06/2012 12:25

Yy to everything callaird said too.

Frakiosaurus · 05/06/2012 17:55

I personally wouldn't do it, however the two of you could share a nanny thereby getting the benefits without the worry of being your friend's employee?

TinyDiamond · 05/06/2012 20:04

Thanks all for the replies. We have only had casual conversations about it which came out of her basically saying that we have the same parenting style and she wishes I could just look after them both and I should just quit my job and do it. Was initially said in a jokey manner but then we talked about it and realised it could be a feasible option in the near future.

The main reason i'd leave my (very stable) job is getting to spend time with my own dd aswell as hers and also because I wasn't prepared for just how much I'd love being a mum and the baby/toddler bit as I work with secondary aged children.

A nanny share wouldn't be an option as I have no need for childcare as it is done between my mum and mil currently so I'd be paying someone for no reason otherwise. it is only the other little girls mum who has the need for paid childcare.
The girls really love being together and the family is moving closer to where we live so I suppose I need to have some more official conversations with my friend.
Yes, it would mean a big paycut but trying to think whether it would be worth it to be looking after them and seeing them grow up together.
Very good point re siblings too...I know that won't be an option for us for 2 years yet but I'm not positive about how my friend feels

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