Childcare for free.

[iMum]

Im in the process of becoming a childminder-ive done my course, and passed it! had my home inspection and police check etc the only thing between me and my certificate is a police check from Germany as we lived there for a while. Anyway my question is this, I have a family who are waiting for me to mind their kids after school 2 days a week for 3 hours. Ive explained that my registration inst complete yet but she said that she would not pay me until i was qualified and then backdate payment. Ive just spoken to ofsted and asked if there were any other hold ups in the process, no just this cert from Germany which should arrive here in a week or so, Ofsted have even said i can email or fax it to them to speed things up further once i recieve it.
Guess what im asking is would it be ok to look after her kids before i receive my cert for no money. Her ds1 is in my sons class at school so come here often anyway on play dates etc.
What say you?

I don't think you can but the best thing to do is ask Ofsted.

Is it for 3 hours each day or over the 2 days? You'd have to be careful about insurance too. Would it be possible for you to care for the children in their own home?

Its for 3 hours each day for 2 days, so 6 hours in all-but no different than having them over to play is it? and thats not against the law? legally if i dont accept any payment for it its ok isnt it? As for caring for the m in their own home, ive got 2 of my own so not sure that would work, but possibly.

But if she backdates payment then you are being paid for it.

but not until i am registered iyswim. then it could just be charging her that amount for childcare from that point.

perhaps with no back payment then that would be ok?

I do see what you mean but the reality is that whether she pays you at the time or waits until you are registered you are still being paid for looking after her children. You could do it for nothing and not get paid but being paid later is still being paid.

It has to be a playdate, without any agreement for a return favour of any kind. If there is any kind of reward, now or in the future, you would be in breach of the Childcare Act 2006 (definition of childminding is in PART XA of the Children Act 1989).

So you can do it for FREE.

You will not be insured - even if you have your insurance through, as a condition of your insurance is usually that you have a registration certificate. In the event of anything bad happening, you may find that your home insurance policy covers 'visitors'.

Thanks Nanny nick, thats fab so it'll be freebies for a few weeks then!