Childminding advice.

[Irelandfilly]

Hi, just looking for some advice. I mind 2 children in their own home as the children are in school the parents have given me a list of jobs to do around the house. What jobs as a child minder would you expect to do? Just things relating to the children or parents laundry, cleaning out the fridge.
Thank you

Er just preparing children's tea. That's all I'd say

Depends what your "role" was defined as and how much you get paid?

So you’re a nanny?

There’s a nanny section here that might be more useful. Cms tend to have very different things they cover as it’s a different role.

Childminders mind the child by looking after them and feeding that’s it. Anything else your a nanny

Thanks squaresandsquares. I dress the children for school and then drive them to school, so from 9.15 til 1.30 they pay me even tho kids in school. I don't mind things like tidying the playroom or the kids bedrooms but I thought cleaning out the fridge weekly is not really a childminders job??

Thanks everyone, i was a childminder in my own home for a long time and am working in the child's home. I'm paid through the books so pris etc.

Will go look in the nanny section. Thanks eveyone

A childminder is self employed, sets their own pay rates and looks after children the childminders own home, they are checked and registered by OFSTED.

A nanny works in the children's home, is employed by the parents who pay sick pay, holiday, pension etc and do the jobs as specified in the contract.

How can you not know what you are?

Are you an Ofsted-registered childminder or a nanny? A childminder looks after children in her/his own home and follows the early years foundation stage framework. We need liability insurance, we are inspected by Ofsted, we have first aid training, food hygiene training, etc. Some will look after older children before and after school. Childminders are self-employed and are taxed as self-employed.

If you work in someone else's house, you are a nanny, not a childminder. Nannies are employed by a family and have their job defined by their employer. Some will do more chores around the house than others, light cleaning, looking after the children's clothes, clean their bedrooms, tidy up their toys, etc.

Sorry cheesypasta, cross post

It completely depends on what you've agreed with the family doesn't it? In home childcare roles vary quite a bit, depending in the family and nanny involved. Personally I think the home help element needs to be child related; however this arrangement is different with you being paid for 3 hours a day without children. I can understand them wanting some benefit from the time they're paying you for when the kids are at school. But if this wasn't discussed when you started, you need to address it asap. Or if it was discussed but you're not keen, time to look for another job.

It sounds like you are in a nanny role...?

The parents when looking for someone to mind their children said they were looking for a chilminder to work in the children's home. I'm in Ireland so things could be different here. I get 4 weeks hols per year plus bank holidays ,

Not sure that it matters what you're called - nanny or childminder, but rather what you agreed with the family would be your responsibilities?

You're a nanny. you should be employed, with a contract, payslips and paid annual leave plus a pension and provision for sick leave etc. your duties should be set out in the contract.

Thank you everyone. hiyasminitsme, i have payslips, am paid annual leave, no sick pay(Not compulsory in ireland) or pension. New contract for 2018 as min wage is going up to €10 an hour. I understand doing jobs around the house to do with the children but parents laundry and cleaning fridge weekly I wasn't so sure about.

Your duties should be in your contract then

I used to be a nanny and am now a childminder. Some families, once their children are at school, try and give their nanny house keeping duties so the nanny can make her hours up. This works for some nannies but not others. Depends on how good the family are and how in demand nannies are in the area I guess.

Is this a new job or has your role changed because children have started school/Nursery? If it's a new job then presumably you discussed and agreed what jobs you would do at interview?
If however it's changed and you now have free hours and they are looking to fill them, I think you need to request a meeting to redefine your new role. You need to decide in advance specific jobs you definitely won't do and maybe have a few suggestions but I guess ultimately it depends how much you are being paid and how much you want/need the job.

Personally I would be looking at batch cooking, children's laundry/ironing, children's bedroom/playrooms cleaning and that's it but then I wouldn't ever take on a nanny/housekeeper role I'm lazy enough cleaning my own house let alone someone else's.

It will depend what your contract says about cleaning out the fridge etc. However, if you don’t do it then be prepared for your employers to reduce your hours and pay you less to reflect that.