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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

How much to pay an non-registered childminder?

44 replies

Thomcat · 25/04/2006 22:13

She is a friend and will have my DD2 from 9am until 6pm 2 days a week. She isn't registered but has childminded before, has a DD the same age as mine DD2, a 2 yr old and a 12 yr old. She offered to have DD2 for me on those 2 days when I go back to work. I like her a lot, trust her and feel very happy and lucky. We'll start off on a months trail basis so she can back out if it's too much.

How much is fair to pay her?

TIA.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

motherinferior · 25/04/2006 22:14

Honey, can she re-register? It might save you both a lot of hassle.

Katymac · 25/04/2006 22:16

I know it's very extreme but it might be considered (by social services) to be neglect to leave your child with an unregistered childminder. I know my opinion is biased (as I'm a childminder) but you must consider first aid, insurance etc at well.

Original poster

Thomcat · 25/04/2006 22:17

Hello lovely
She's never been registered. I doubt she'd want to.
With Lottie I had another fried look after her and she wasn't registered. It was fine. What do you mean by saving us both hassle?

OP posts:

Original poster

Thomcat · 25/04/2006 22:18

Well social services can call it what they like. I call it leaving my DD2 with a friend I know, like & trust.
Oh no, is this thread going to go pear-shaped?
Oh God.

Retract, retract!

OP posts:

PandaG · 25/04/2006 22:20

Don't want to be sanctimonious, but are you aware that if you do pay her she will be breaking the law - and that goes for presents in kind not just money? Also, if something goes wrong she won't have any insurance. To keep it legal, I think she could nanny for you at your house, NannyNick or would prob know this for certain. Anyway, to answer your OP, I am a reg childminder and charge £3.20 ph, based in S Yorks, all inclusive bar playgroup fees. HTH

Katymac · 25/04/2006 22:20

If you are going to pay her - then technically it's illegal and potentially both of you could get in to trouble

It's not very likely but it is a possibility

The insurance and training is an issue tho' I'd have thought?

Original poster

Thomcat · 25/04/2006 22:22

No, tbh, I wasn't aware that I was breaking the law. I had considered myself to be a very lucky girl, up till now.

Hmmmmmmmmmm.

OK, thanks.

OP posts:

bubble99 · 25/04/2006 22:23

Just curious. Which law would she be breaking?? I understand declaring earnings for tax etc.

Katymac · 25/04/2006 22:25

On a practical level wouldn't you get Tax credit help with childcare costs if you use a registered carer? It can be up to 70% of the cost

Also say your car seat or buggy was stolen from her house - a registered minders insurance would cover the replacement costs

Never mind if there were an accident or anything - sorry for even mentioning that

Aero · 25/04/2006 22:27

Yes, it is illegal unfortunately (in your case tc). No insurance if anything should happen, and what about first aid etc. I'm sure your friend is lovely and trustworthy, but it is very possible that you could both end up in trouble.

Katymac · 25/04/2006 22:27

This might help make your decision \link{http://www.childmindingmatters.org.uk/parents_why.html\here}

LeahE · 25/04/2006 22:27

Childminders are legally required to be registered. What if your DD has an accident while with your friend and has to be taken to casualty? It could very easily be picked up by the authorities that your friend is breaking the law. That's one example of how being registered would save you both hassle (admittedly it's only a small fine for being unregistered). Like you I wouldn't be worried as such by a friend looking after a dc not being registered, but I'd feel I was putting them in an awkward position given I was effectively asking them to break the law for me.

To answer your original question - at the lower end of what a registered cm would get in your area, o0r just below that?

Original poster

Thomcat · 25/04/2006 22:29

Oh bloody buggery bums.
Wish I'd never asked. Actually no I'm not, I'm glad I know. Thanks girls.

OP posts:

Katymac · 25/04/2006 22:29

\link{http://www.learningtrust.co.uk/childcare/parents/choosing_childminder/why_not.aspx\here too}

Katymac · 25/04/2006 22:30

Can we find you a MN minder?

Aero · 25/04/2006 22:30

Bubble, it is illegal because all childminders have to be registered with OFSTED. That is, all paid childminders. Children can be looked after by relatives who are not registered, but there would be no tax relief towards childcare if this is the case.

Olihan · 25/04/2006 22:32

Not sure which law it is but it's definitely illegal to look after someone's child for any type of payment. There's a huge fine for doing it. OFSTED aren't impressed by it at all.

Pandas right about her looking after your dd at your house though - might be safer in the short term?

I registered as a cm last year to do the same thing for a friend. Have stopped now but clearly remember all the 'you have to be registered before you start' talk.

TBH, the registration process isn't that arduous, but the CRB checks take a while to come through.

Really would be better for her to be registered, because of insurance, etc.

goosey · 25/04/2006 22:33

It is the Children Act 1989 that an unregistered childminder would be contravening. Firstly an enforcement notice would be given - and it would be an offence to then (after a specified period)not comply with it's conditions.
It's all to do with putting children's welfare and protection first. Why will your friend not consider registering?

LeahE · 25/04/2006 22:35

Reading Ofsted's website, it appears that in practice if they did find out that she was acting as an unregistered childminder they'd start off by writing to her advising her of the law and the process for registration -- then if nothing changed would issue an enforcement notice and only then, if still nothing had changed, would they go ahead with a prosecution/fine. So from a practical point of view you'd probably be OK if the illegality doesn't bother you.

bubble99 · 25/04/2006 22:36

Thankyou, Aero it is the paid bit I was curious about, as in, is TC paying her friend 'officially.'

bubble99 · 25/04/2006 22:37

But unregistered relatives can look after them legally.

bubble99 · 25/04/2006 22:38

Thankyou. Am a bit slow tonight.

robinpud · 25/04/2006 22:39

If she is really keen to do it Thomcat then registration shouldn't be much of a burden. I would also really really recommend that you draw up some sort of contract.. to protect her if need be. It will also give you peace ofmind that she is not going to just give you 1 week's notice and leave you in the lurch. I know the thread has not gone the way you expected but there are a lot of experienced people giving you wise advice.

JonesTheSteam · 25/04/2006 22:41

Sorry to hi-jack!!

So, if my sister was to move closer and I was to look after her DS that would be OK while she's is work, I wouldn't have to register.

Even if she offered to pay me expenses (ie. food etc.) - would that still be alright.

Thanks

Aero · 25/04/2006 22:43

lol bubble.

My db and his dw are in this position - her mother looks after the kids while they work and will never register (she's 73). They do pay her a small amount in return, but they get no help with it at all because Granny isn't registered. I don't think it's illegal for them to pay her though as she is their grandmother. Wonder if someone can clarify this for me though.

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