Need to register somewhere? Pay tax?

[Morloth]

From January I will be collecting the daughter of a friend from school when I pick my son up. They are both 4 years old.

My friend works full time, so the little girl will be with me from school pick up until around 6:30pm.

I am quite happy to do this for free (the kids play really well together and if anything it is easier for me to have her around than not!). However my friend is uncomfortable with this and wants to pay me.

As it is just a friendly arrangement and the payment will certainly be less than £100 a week do I need to register as a CM or pay tax on it?

It is illegal to use an Unregistered Childminder, you would be putting yourself at risk of prosecution. Also putting their child at risk as you won't be CRB checked, nor all over 16s in the house, won't be insured, and probably wouldn't be Fisrt Aid trained.

Unregistered Childminding is employing anyone over 2 hours a day to care for your child in their own home for reward - be that money, a bunch of flowers, a spa voucher, or doing something in return.

Illegal childminding give us properly Registered Childminders a bad name and also puts us out of a job!

Believe me there are "busybodies" or as I prefer to call them, law abiding citizens with a legitimate concern - who will report people they suspect of minding illegally.

I would and I have.

Right so it has to be under 2 hours a day (doable I would think), completely for free, or I register as a CM.

I have to say I think this is massively overregulated! I had a feeling it would be, but it is still mad.

Thanks for all the info though.

"Illegal childminding give us properly Registered Childminders a bad name and also puts us out of a job!"

Which is why the most likely person to report an unregistered childminder, is a registered childminder.

What if no one registered as a childminder... then maybe no one is likely to report it.

We have had some form of regulation since the 70's. What happened before then? Why did it become regulated?

Fadge
People have been helping out friends by looking after their children for eons. And it's not going to end anytime soon. Parents understand the risks.

I totally agree with Morloth re the overregulation.

Interesting about the regulation since the 1970s. Tell tell Nick. Honestly, I'm putting you forward for a ministerial post.

Knowledgable and diplomatic to boot.

Just because something has been happening for years doen't make it right, or in this case legal

That is the law, and that is that. I am just stating it for the benefit of those that are misinformed - take it up with your MP if you disagree.

Yes, has to be under 2 hours, if taking place at the home of the carer, rather than the home of the child.
Completely for free isn't really an option as it would be hard to prove that there is no form of reward going on.

Childcare in the child's own home is currently unregulated. Nannies like myself for many years have been unregulated. Now we can choose to be regulated, but it is still optional. One day I expect a government will find a way to not make that optional any more.

OK so if we are out and about that doesn't count towards the 2 hours? Just the actual time we are at my place? That definately loosens things up because it is a half hour walk from school anyway.

They finish up early on Fridays, but I was thinking of going out for lunch with them and then doing an activity of some sort (otherwise trapped in house with two 4 year olds!).

Finding the history of childminding is proving to be a bit tricky. Sue Owens wrote her doctorate on the subject - so expect some of her books will contain some of the history.
Effectiveness of Childminding Registration and it's implications for private fostering contains some history.
"Childminders have been subject to regulation since the Nurseries and Childminding Regulation Act 1948. Effective registration did not, however, occur until the Health
Services and Public Health Act 1968."

Here ends the history lesson

Morloth, you are beginning to get the idea

why not ring ofsted as just reread all information about voluntary register and it stipulates it must be for AT LEAST 2 hours not under 2 hours also says in a child's own home which is what you are suggesting I know another childminder who started off like this as alot les jurisdiction

voluntary register applies to children over 8

any provider who is unable to register on the Early Years Register or compulsory part of the Childcare Register (for example providers who are exempt or whose care does not fall to be registered). This includes:
 home-based care (nannies)
 activity-based settings
 short-term care
 care which is only for children aged eight and over.
However, one of the requirements to join the voluntary part of the Childcare Register is that the childcare is provided:
 in respect of a particular child for a continuous period of at least two hours or
 as part of arrangements whereby childcare is provided:
 for a period ending at the start of normal school hours, or beginning at the end of normal school hours or
 for a continuous period of at least two hours.

Taken from ofsted website only over 8's for childminders

Just a follow up. Spoke with the childcare lady from my local council.

She assured me that as long as I was not receiving any reward then there is no need to register or worry about the 2 hour limit.

She also recommended that we draw up a "contract" to the effect that I would be collecting LO from school each day for zero reward and that everything to do with the LO's safety etc still remained the lookout of her parents.

This is what we will do.

Thanks again for all the input.