Friend doing childcare

[eBaysLikeMyFamily]

A friend has (more than once) brought up doing childcare for me because I cannot find a permanent childcare solution that I’m happy with atm. I think it could toe the line between nannying, babysitting and mothers help-ing but I’m not sure and wanted to check.

I need 3 days a week for 6/7 hours covered, I think it would be better if she cared for DS in my home (it’s bigger) and she would bring her two with her. We live very very close so the “commute” is not an issue and she could nip back with the kids if she needed to. The children would be 2 one year olds and a three year old. I could maybe work from my home still or possibly hers if her DH isn’t needing to sleep (shift work) or maybe a local coworking space, I currently work with both of my DC home one day a week (DP is in charge) which is fine. I think she would take the DC to some groups that she currently attends, I’m happy to pay for those. I can pay her around £500 a month, a bit less than a childminder but I can’t use the TFC top up. There would probably be a natural limit to this arrangement due to moving at some point later this year but it would give me more time to find a permanent solution, DS is already familiar with her and happy to be left for (very brief) periods with her.

Would need to work out details like food (packed lunches?), transport for them (I think I’d buy a double pram for her to use), illnesses and holidays (mutual agreement I suppose?)

I was looking on the babysitting app Bubble and you can book a regular babysitter for those hours for up to 12 weeks so I think it’s technically fine in the short term?

£40 a day is very low - is she definitely happy with that rate? Childminders in my area are £6ph minimum And they look after 3-5 children.

I assume you will still do it, so make sure you sort out insurance (if her children break something in your house or hurt themselves).

I still need to talk to her about money, I'm just trying to work it out a bit myself because I don't want to take the piss

Childminders cost more than that around me, there's a bunch around me that do a half day (5 hours) for £40 so £8 an hour. I need a bit longer but she wouldn't be ofsted registered, following the early years curriculum, pay for insurance or any bills, providing food for him or toys or have wear and tear in her home etc. £6 per hour for 6-7 hours is £36-42 so about where I am thinking

Would that be general contents insurance?

They can work as a nanny at your home but the issue I see is that you may not be paying them at least National Minimum Wage.

They are a friend but you are talking about payment so they are not doing the care for free, or in return for you caring for their children. Therefore employment laws will apply I feel.

@nannynick I'm trying to work out what the difference is getting one of the Bubble babysitters to do a regular sit for the time I need and a nanny is? I was wondering if it was because it was somewhat temporary. Though I suppose they can work for multiple families at once but that doesn't mean that they do.

I have no idea how these apps get away with it. Is the app the employer, is the end user, it's a bit unclear. I expect they are saying that they are a marketing tool, so it's not up to them.

A babysitter is providing occasional care, you may book the same person again but you may not and you are not usually booking a large block of days. If they are limiting a block to 12 weeks, then I guess they have worked out that it is at that point that ad-hoc becomes employment.

Having friends doing childcare never works out. I would look at a professional setting.

Working for multiple families is not really part of it. I have several employed jobs each week on a permanent basis and have ad-hoc work from time to time which is self employment.

When looking at employment status, I look at Mutuality Of Obligation... do I have to do the work, do they have to provide the work. If yes to either, then that points in my view heavily towards employment. The HMRC employment status manual is long, most is online, and there are other factors to consider other than MOO, but in my view it is a good indicator of the intention of the parties involved.

How long will you need someone to do 3-days per week for? If it's a very short period of time, then that is likely different to having someone do it for 3 months or longer.

@nannynick yeah I was wondering if that was the line

@blessedbethebutter I AM looking for a professional setting but I cannot find one so far I am happy with. DP and I have gone through all the childminders around us and are messaging them but so far we've not found any we actually want to use and where we are nurseries fill up from pregnancy or shortly after birth so while I will be having a look I'm not optimistic that he would get a place any time soon. We have been burnt by a childminder before so really want to find one that were comfortable with.

@nannynick MOO sounds like a good barometer, if they didn't work... I wouldn't make them and I'd have to pay another baby sitter or work around DS. I don't think we could go over 4 months as they are planning on moving in October atm (might change but that's the plan)

This is a nanny set up and you need to pay at least minimum wage. What you're proposing is just over £5 an hour which is super low. You are also responsible for sorting her tax out. It's a lovely idea but you need to be really careful as you could get in to trouble! I'm a nanny and occasionally have friend's children (for free) but the parents ALWAYS offer me my full rate. I just prefer not to mix money and friends so I decline.

As others said if in your home she will be a nanny and nmw apply

can’t be in her home as she isn’t registered as a cm

if you were going to pay a cm originally I would really try and find one as sounds like uou can’t afford a nanny

guessing you friend could do it for nmw so round to £10ph. If that’s her only job you wouldn’t pay tax on top of that and possibly a small amount of ni

Have you thought how you’re going to transition to different childcare longer term? Will your child’s age/circumstances mean that more childcare options are suddenly going to open up to you other than what’s available now?

As your having a struggle finding any childminder who feels right are you sure using a friend is a wise idea? Working with friends is a nightmare and normally ends badly. Everyone has different parenting views things may well turn sour. There is no debate legally if shes not registered she can only work from your home having 2 small children with different house rules in your home is very hard. Caring for 2 1 year olds at the same stage of development plus a 2 year old if your not trained or experienced is a major shock.extending learning may go on the back burner to fire fighting as your home won't be organised for 3 toddlers.