assistants

[franyfroo]

I really would like to take on a full time assistant. BUT. I just dont know where to start looking for one. Do i want and older one, young, just out of school one, or what. How do I choose them, and what do I pay them. Do I have to give them a job description. HELP

anyone?

Oh, I hope someone answers this, I would like to know too. I have the potential to be full up with my under 5's but have adhoc stuff come up quite often now..

i use my aunt sometmes, she is approved but she is getting older and doesnt want to be tied down. i am registerd for 6 under 5 with an assistant and have had 2 calls this morning alone. would not be able to pay loads though, so need to work it all out. would really suit a retired person.

So how do you work your numbers then? You only do the 6 if you have an assistant available?

PS - how did you register for one, was that another visit from Ofsted?

Having an assistant may not always increase your numbers. Limit of max 6 children under 8 will still apply, regardless of how many assistants you have. To get over 6 children under 8 you need to co-childmind. That is my understanding of it.

Finding someone to be an assistant I have no idea about. Could suit retired person, could suit a gap-year student or perhaps another mum with children over 8 years old.

As a nanny who is looking for a change i direction - i would do this. I dont think you'd have any probem finding someone if you were advertising in the usual childcare places

Remember if they work over (5hrs I think) they need breaks away from the children etc.

What about 2 part-timers?

How come WE don't get breaks away from the children?!

Umm 'cos we aren't employed?

Oh, OK then .

you dont have to co-childmind. My certificate states i am registered to look after 7 children of which 6 may be under 5 years of age ( 1 may be under 1)
when not with assistant it states 6 children under 8 3 of which should be under 5 (1 under 1) and 3 5 - 8 years.

my assistant has to be enhanced crb and have approved cm2 form.

not a problem for someone to have an hour for lunch. where would one advertise for this sort of thing.

thanks for all the help so far

Who do you get to cover the assistants hour for lunch? - I find it really difficult

Sorry to hijack - but how do you go about applying to Ofsted for an assistant. I assume another home check?

I am seriously considering it for am "sessions"/ad hoc only and hire out a p/t am person.

Franny - can you not advertise on gumtree/local paper?

What about rates, what do you pay them?

well, they would still be in the house, even though having lunch........surley. Had not really thought of that.

no home check, just call ofsted.

pay them...............um, little as possible, just like us.

frany - they need to be "off-duty" for their break.....I do think P/T'ers might be your best bet

ok. that just makes even more paper work i supose. whats the going rate for assistants.

I pay between £5.35 and £6.00 an hour (but you must add NI)

oh gosh. is it possible to make any sort of profit?

Franyfroo - have sent you e-mail re under 8's will be clear when you read it why not posting to the board.

Once you have an employee, it may be hard to make profit, given all the expenses employing someone entails. Therefore you have to do your calculations well, and charge parents enough for the childcare to cover the cost of having an employee.

Not really - why do you think I'm opening a nursery?