Do I need a registered childminder?

[backpacker]

I'm looking for a childminder and a friend thinks she's found me one. She is apparently a lovely lady, a mum of a six month old and an ex-nanny but not a registered childminder. My baby will be 11 months when I go back to work. I'm tempted to at least interview her. Is this a mistake?

TIA

If she takes care of her child (and yours) in your house, then it's not illegal, as she'd be working as a nanny.

Thanks NQC - The suggestion is that my child goes to her house as she has a house and garden and I have a tiny flat. Apart from being illegal (I say very blase) are there any other problems? Would splitting their time between my flat and her house solve this problem?

Not only is it illegal, you are also not covered by insurance if anything happens to your lo. Us registered childminders have to have public liability insurance.

Unfortunately splitting care between flat and house would not solve the legal problem of her not being registered. Unfortunately, even if she was registered, she wouldn't be able to take your baby until they turn 1 as we're only allowed 1 child aged under 1 at any time (unless Ofsted agree otherwise).

Sorry it's not what you wanted to hear.

I registered as a child minder when my ds was 5 months old so that I could look after a friend's baby who was the same age. OFSTED let me have the 2 under 1 but that was all I was allowed. If your friend wants to register it's not that bad a process and as she's an ex nanny OFSTED are more likely to agree the 2 babies. (I was a teacher and before that a nanny and SN carer so they thought I had the experience to cope.) I really wouldn't do it if she isn't registered though, it's not worth the risk to either of you.

Thanks for the advice. I'll see if she's interested in registering. Otherwise I guess it's back the drawing board (sigh)

I agree it sounds like she would have a good chance of getting permission for the one month until your child turns 1.

If she registers:

• you'll have the peace of mind that you're not breaking the law
• she'll get up to date first aid training
• she'll be insured
• she'll have basic cm training
• she'll have an inspection report from Ofsted
• you'll be able to pay her in childcare vouchers if you want
• or if eligible, you can claim childcare tax credits
• she'll have access to further training, resources and discounts (eg 10% off at Early Learning Centre)

If it were me I would go see her and ask whether she is prepared to register. If not, what are her reasons for not registering? How long ago was she a nanny? for how long? get references from her past employers.