Childminder/Nanny confusion

[wanderlove]

I have one son and I am currently trying to arrange childcare for returning to work. I have contacted a couple of childminders and am meeting them
Over the next couple of weeks. I also registered on a childcare website and have a few people contact me. One was looking for nanny work, which I can't afford, but said that she would match the childminder prices we had seen. She seems lovely and I am meeting her tomo but was looking for a little advice.

Eg if she isn't set up as a childminder I guess that she won't be ofsted registered or dbs checks. How do I check dbs?
I think that a nanny usually works in the child's house whereas a childminder has there own premises. Also you would expect a childminder to have their own gear (push chair/car seat etc. ) whereas a nanny you provide it.

My fear is it doesn't have the stability of a regular childminder. I think I would prefer her to set up as a childminder officially because at the moment it feels like a grey area between a nanny and a childminder. Also I worry that if full
Time nannying work comes up we will be left without childcare.

This is a big long ramble but I'm wanting advice on the situation and what questions/issues I need to cover tomorrow....and any potential pitfalls for this situation.

A childminder works from her own home, and provides all equipment etc, some provide food others ask you to supply.They are Ofsted registered so you will be able to use childcare vouchers, tax free and in future funded hours with them.

A nanny will work in your home, you will need to provide everything, some are Ofsted registered but it’s not a requirement, if she is not then you will not be able to pay her through childcare vouchers, tax free etc . You will also responsible for her tax and No, pension , holiday pay etc. Unless she is she employed and works for a few families then she will do this.

Both a childminder and nanny is completely different, if she is a nanny it’s because she does not want to a childminder and unlike she will set up just because you have asked her too.

In either case you will need to have a back up plan if the childminder or nanny are ill and can not work.

A childminder will not care for a sick child but a nanny may?
You should find out what you will have to pay?, And when in advance etc, what this covers, meals, trips out etc, notice periods, deposits, holiday pay etc

There are some mascarading as nannys but wanting to work from their home ....this is illegal. They will not have insurance, training, be inspected( even if they have a dbs) they wont be paying tax or national insurance either. Or have any of the expenses a childminder has....so really cheeky to say they will price match if she is suggesting illegal child minding as shes earning way more than a childminder even at the same cost and putting your child at risk.
Childminders are typically a qualified as nursery managers and work to the same standards as nursery providing the same experiences.

A nanny is your employee and must be paid minimum wage, pension, holiday pay etc by law. You are responsible for their tax and ni through paye. They work in your home (or another family's in the case of a nanny share). A childminder works in their own home and is ofsted registered, very different

Thanks for the replies. I definitely want a childminder I think. This is what I had put down on my post I just got confused as to what was happening!! I don't want to be responsible for sick pay/national insurance etc. And I also want the reassurance that it is ofsted registered and all above board. So I think tomo I will say that we will only be interested if she sets up as a registered childminder, otherwise there are two many unknowns. Also I'm thinking if she is nannying but at a childminders rate this prob isn't minimum wage and not something I want to be involved in....I want the childminder to be responsible for all
Their business stuff and I just pay them the correct rate knowing that they have been inspected/dbs etc.

“under the table” nanny arrangements evading tax etc seem quite common, but there are big risks that for all concerned.

You’ve said you don’t want to be an employer and can’t afford it, so a CM who is already registered would be best.

I wrote off people approaching me proposing similar as showing poor judgment.

Thanks for all the responses. It has really helped clarify. We have back up care in case child or childminder is poorly as I know this is one of the considerations when choosing a childminder over a nursery.

IME our DC got sick much less often with CM than they did at nursery. CM rarely had time off, whereas nursery closed a few times due to bad weather! We did have to be flexible if her DC or other mindees were ill.

I think you are doing the ng by not getting involved with the nanny who is willing to work for cm rates. She sounds a bit dodgy, trying to make a bit of ‘easy money’. If you employed her and paid cm rates (which are generally under minimum wage, you would be breaking the law, so best to steer well clear.
A registered childminder will have insurance, first aid certificates, safeguarding training as mandatory, as well as lots of other trainings, knowledge and experience. She will pay her own tax/business outgoings and all you have to do is turn up each day and pay the bill on time.