Should my friends 9 yr old play out with friends while I am childminding??

[mumbomama]

I look after my friends 9 year old sometimes.
It's not regularly but I have a child record form and get paid so it's done as childminding rather than a favour.

The child normally plays out with friends in the next rd or at the park. Mum has said that she is happy for me to let the child out to play as normal but I feel a bit uncomfortable about the child being out of my supervision.
On the other hand, it will be like being grounded if the child isn't alllowed out while she is here, my own 10 year old goes out to play with his friends.

What would you do?
Should I get mum to sign something to say she is happy or just keep the child in?
Is it worth me emailing ofsted to run it past them? Are they helpful if you email questions?

Many thanks

I doubt ofsted will be supportive of you allowing a child to play out regardless of their age if they are out of your sight/supervision, and this is why I don't do this with my mindees.
However, if your friend and you are comfortable with this I would get her to sign a detailed permission slip, stating that you will not be able to see mindee, what boundaries will be in place etc. Another reason I personally wouldn't do this is what if mindee had an accident, didn't come back at right time, or you had an emergency at home? While you may have other smaller mindees to look after / oven on / etc. These are other things to bear in mind.
All our situations are different tho so only you know what would be the best solution here. I do know of a chilminder that does this but I know she definately has permission slips.

i did this parents signed a form stating that they could play on front without my supervision ofted were not happy and marked me down even with written consent
the child was 10

Regardless of age, Ofsted Inspector told me that children should be within sight/sound of cm at all times. It could be argued that its nothing to do with Ofsted as they don't regulate care of over eights and if you didn't have any under eights you could make any arrangement you liked with the parents.

However, thinking about all the possible risks and my reputation as a childminder, and the fact that my public liability insurance doesn't cover me if the child isn't with me - I decided my policy is no playing in street - all in or all out. Which has worked out great - the older ones have taken some of my craft & role play activities in rather unexpected directions and IMO the children have gained a lot from the friendships built between different age-groups.

When we go out I let the older ones walk ahead (they stop and wait at each corner and before crossing roads - even though they are well capable I explain I don't want any little ones thinking they can cross on their own too). When we go to the park the older ones play football just outside the fenced in play area across in the skateboard park - they feel they've got a bit of freedom & are close enough for me to keep an eye on things.

Ayla99 - that was very well put. Your set up and play structures sound similar to mine. Older ones don't fell grounded either - think it's nice for them to have a few hours a week where they can 'play' with little ones!