This has probably been asked eleventy million times already... Over 8’s.

[SandunesAndRainclouds]

Hi
I’ve recently been picking up a friend’s DC from school and looking after her at mine for around 2 hours. Friend got offered a new job with a quick start so she didn’t have time to source a childminder so I stepped in. We are close friends, and I love her DD, she gets on well with my DCs.

Friend hasn’t been able to find a childminder who can pick up from our school and has asked if I will consider having her DD long term. I’m happy to continue as I am; her DD is no work at all, she’s at the same school as my DD so it’s no extra effort for me. She just tags along with whatever we are doing!

DH thinks I should consider, but I really don’t want to turn our friendship into a business transaction. He’s looked at government websites etc and thinks that I can accept payment without being registered as she’s over 8 and with me for 2 hours or less.

I’m a SAHM with a bank staff contract (I rarely get any work) and money is tight so I can see his point. If I agreed to be paid, would I have to register with HMRC as self employed? It seems like a lot of effort to help out a friend, but I know another school mum whose DC is starting juniors in September who is also struggling to find after school care so there could be an opportunity for me to finally earn myself a wage.

Sorry that’s really rambling!! Hope it all makes sense. WWYD?

Tbh, for just over 8s I have no idea on the law, but I wouldn’t think doing this long term for free is the way to go. Remember your friend is being paid to work and you are enabling her to do this. Unless you are the most selfless person in the world, I think that would start to grate, especially if money is tight for you.

Thanks for the reply

It’s a fine balance, that’s for sure. I’ve certainly thought about enabling her to start a new career while I’m struggling to find a place in the world (all mine are in school now but I can’t find anything that works between the school drop off / pick up). At the moment it gives me a role, something to think about for sure.

www.madeformums.com/toddler-and-preschool/could-your-childcare-arrangements-be-breaking-the-law/2663.html

I believe that you do not need to register. Additionally, I believe that if you are looking after a child in his/her home, you do not need to register - consider all the thousands of 'nannies'.

Do not do this for free. In my area, childminders charge approx. £5/hr and nannies (in child's home) charge about £10/hr but also do light housework. I believe there are websites where you can both register so that it calculates any tax, etc. Her job may have a voucher scheme so that she can pay you before tax.

Also, make a written contract between yourselves to protect you both. Agree a price and set some hours. Will you be feeding the child dinner? What if you (or she) changes jobs and want to stop having her child after school?

So far, she’s with me from after school or club until 5 - 5:30, so less than 2 hours most days. She’s looked after in my house, not in her own home.

The process of setting up as self employed looks painstaking! My DCs enjoy her company, she’s no trouble at all and a happy little girl.

The only thing that has crossed my mind is if there’s some kind of accident and as a regular favour, rather than as an employment, I don’t have any extra insurances and wondered if I should.

Unless you are registered your friend will not get help towards any childcare costs.

Find out what local cms are charging. I would imagine you have no qualifications in child care, no first aid training nor insurance therefore charging the same as a registered cm or nanny would be excessive.

If you have the child at your house then you could add on meals and snacks etc.

Trouble is its a long term commitment. What if your kids fall out? What if her child or your child or you are ill will she realise she needs to take time of work?
What if you just get fed up having to factor this child into your routine week after week?
Will she pay you on time?

Will she take liberties with getting back for her dd on time?
Often a business arrangement can sour a relationship.

If you decide to do it you will have to reg with DWP as self employed and fill in a tax return even if you earn less than nmw/paying tax level. Keep a record of income and expenses etc.

Plus if you are thinking of taking on more kids do you have room and resources?
Remember its your kids home too they shouldnt have to share all thier toys with minded kids, should be able to do thier own thing when it suits them.

And please let potential clients know you are not registered or have the usual requirements a reg cm will have (1st aid, PL insurance etc) unless you plan to get them (or have them already) some people prefer a fully reg child care setting.

If you really want to do it good luck.

My first aid training isn’t up to date, but have been trained. Potential other child’s mum knows that I am not a CM and it was the conversation with her that sparked me looking into what the law is / what I would need to do if I were to be paid.

I have had all the same thoughts about having my friend’s daughter long term. One of the reasons I am so reluctant to formalise the arrangement and be paid for it is that currently I am able to say yes or no to some days. For instance, one of my DCs has an appointment after school next week and I’ve told friend I can’t do that day. There’s no pressure or commitment and being paid would change that (in my mind). Likewise, she can finish work early or work from home and it’s a day I don’t have her daughter so that’s fine too.

I’ve been looking after her since the week before half term. She’s been picked up on time or early every day bar one when I got a message to say that friend was caught in a meeting and left later than usual but was on the way. She was only 15 minutes later than usual.

I wouldn’t be advertising as a CM or for children to look after. It would be my friend’s child and one potential other. However as the potential other is just going into Juniors, he may still be 7 in which case I’d have to go through the formal process to register with Ofsted etc which isn’t something I had considered or planned to do. Well, to be truthful I hadn’t planned any of this it seems to have presented itself to me!!

Lots to think about. Thanks all for the input, it’s appreciated.

In your situation (& assuming you are ok with pocket money for a favour rather than looking for a salary & career!) I would forget other child until they reach 8, agree a lower than average daily fee (£10?) and bill her for the number of days used in arrears either weekly or monthly. All things normally advised against for a childminder but if you don't mind her being early/cancelling last minute & she's not fussed about you being registered then you don't really want to charge up front or get too formal with it.