CM Club: Co Childminding

[nannynick]

Hi all, can you offer some advice regarding starting co-childminding?

A friend of mine (a registered childminder) is getting a bigger house which means that there would be sufficient space for us to join forces as it were . To get maximum number of under 5's, I feel it's best if we are both registered in our own right, rather than myself being an assistant.

When two childminders operate from one premises, how does it work? Is anyone doing this already? How do you work out things like which parents pay whom, how much tax claims can be made for things like heating/light etc - is it the same as if ther e was only one minder, or can it be doubled up?
What agreements need to be in place... is it like a Partnership Business? Both childminders would be self-employed, rather than one employed by the other, is that right? Are there any potential pit falls I need to be aware of?

Thanks for any info about co-childminding any of you have.

Nick - you have my email -don't you?

Get in touch and I can explain lots

Is co-childminding unusual? Only one response so far, would be lovely to have views of others as well

i was thinking of this a friend of mine childminds with her mum
both of them have certifcates but my friend mum cant cm on her own as she is using dauthers house
so if my friend gives up (which she is in dec) her mum cant carry on cm in daughters house

if i did this i would think you would have to split total amount 60/40 as you are using her house, her space, her food
maybe even 70/30
but as a cm your house is totally took over by toys etc would love to cm in someone elses house and come home to a tidy house at the end of the day.

also my friend always greets the early ones and her mum arrives at 8.30 to do the school runs etc
and when they go to toddler group they seem to have their own children for the day

Can any one enlighten me please bout co-childminding as me and my friend want to do it but dnt know where to start x