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Paid childcare

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

Original poster

hourly rate for a CM assistant - is this fair??

13 replies

WaterGypsy · 14/08/2012 20:39

I have been offered a job with a local CM.

She wants me to register as self employed, and claim the fuel I use for 2 school runs and a nursery run back through my tax return. She will not be contributing to my expenses in any way. Her last assistant didn't drive, and walked the school run, but apparently this is no longer an option as it is too far for the youngest (4) to walk (half a mile)

I am expected to pay £40 for two work t-shirts, as well as use my vehicle/pay fuel costs for trips to soft play etc for £5 ph? Is this normal practise?

Finally would standard fully comp car insurance cover me for this?

Any advice gratefully received!

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confusedpixie · 14/08/2012 20:45

I don't think you'll be able to be self employed? I'd check that if I were you! Definitely not on RE the fuel allowance though! You have to pay for fuel to take her mindees out? She should be adjusting her hourly rate accordingly surely?

Original poster
WaterGypsy · 14/08/2012 20:59

I don't think its right either, but she's assured me it is normal procedure for CM's to hire self employed assistants, who pay their own fuel, and says the going rate is £5ph.

I was expecting the low pay, but not the self employed bit, or the bit where the fuel comes out of my own pocket!

OP posts:
Wowserz129 · 14/08/2012 21:07

I don't see how you can be self employed if you work for her? Sounds like she is trying too get out of some of her respondsibilities!

nannynick · 14/08/2012 21:14

I would have thought that an childminders assistant is an employee of the childminder. You are going to have very little control over things, you are far more likely in my view to be told when to do things and even possibly how to do them.

Pay should be minimum of National Minimum Wage, the amount varies according to age, though I guess you are probably aged 21 or older, so would get the highest rate.

No your car insurance would not cover you for transporting children for whom you are paid to transport. You may find that your insurer would consider covering it under Business Class 1 but talk to your insurer about it. Talk to specialist brokers about it as well, so you get a feeling for what level of insurance you are happy with - MortonMichel Car Insurance is a specialist childcare insurance broker.

Ofsted Factsheet: Childminders using assistants. - If you are in England, you may wish to read this factsheet so you know more about what the regulator permits an assistant to do.

Other recent mumsnet threads that may be of interest
CMs Employing an Assistant
Childminders and charging for petrol

Original poster
WaterGypsy · 14/08/2012 21:53

Thats brilliant NannyNick, thank you.

Wowzer - thats exactly what I thought too!

OP posts:
confusedpixie · 14/08/2012 21:55

That is a ridiculous wage too Shock

Good luck, and if you do go for it, make sure you have a very solid contract that you're happy with!

looneytune · 14/08/2012 23:28

I'm shocked at all of that!! I looked at hiring an assistant at one point and if I'd have gone ahead I'd have paid them at least the minimum wage for their age (the law!), I'd have had to pay for employer liability insurance, done reviews with them and all sorts of other stuff that an 'employer' has to deal with. I don't think being self employed for this is even allowed but I may be wrong? (haven't read whole thread)

ZuleikaD · 15/08/2012 06:29

It sounds to me as though she's expecting you to work on the same terms as she does - with the exception of course that with you there she will be allowed to take on another three children. If you're going to think about those terms at all then you'd be better off qualifying as a CM yourself!

HSMM · 15/08/2012 07:38

When I took on an assistant I employed them, had public liability insurance, etc (as looney said) and definitely at least minimum wage. You would also be entitled to holiday, which you probably wouldn't get as self employed. I don't see how it would meet HMRC criteria for self employed.

HSMM · 15/08/2012 07:40

www.hmrc.gov.uk/employment-status/index.htm to see the rules

apotomak · 15/08/2012 08:41

I have a self employed assistant but ... she's a registered childminder working from my home for 1 hour a day term time only. She also works from her home.
I pay her £10/h for her services. She does not drive but if she did I would reimburse her the mileage. She brings her child to work.
The set up you are considering is not worth going into imo. I was thinking about employing a ft assistant who is not a childminder and I was still considering £10/h mark. This is because I wanted to keep the person who works with me so she/he doesn't go elsewhere ... I think it's important to pay a decent wage ... otherwise the staff won't stay long.

parkavenue · 15/08/2012 11:03

Is there a way you can get registered yourself and set up on your own?

Italiana · 15/08/2012 21:14

£5 per hour? the minimum wage is I believe £ 6.19
they want you to be self employed on That?

Sounds like the 'agency' model to me
I think they need to look at Employment law !!!
Go for it and Set up on your own!!

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