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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

can anyone explain the deal with a cm assistant

31 replies

inthenarkynonk · 13/02/2009 19:37

I would like to know about taking one on all I know is you may have 6 children but what about Ofsted and payment , tax etc etc

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Chatkins · 13/02/2009 19:41

You have to inform ofsted and they will do the crb and suitable person check on your assistant. This can take ages so be prepared to be patient !
I employ my sister on a flexible basis, I only need her every now and again, which suits her fine, then when work builds up I know I've an assistant all sorted to fall back on. I was told by tax office it only effects you if you are paying your assistant more than ninety pound a week, which I am not, so didn not have to do anything.

Chatkins · 13/02/2009 19:42

O you also need 3 references for them

Original poster

inthenarkynonk · 13/02/2009 19:52

thanks so how do I go about it?

OP posts:

Original poster

inthenarkynonk · 13/02/2009 19:52

thanks so how do I go about it?

OP posts:

Chatkins · 13/02/2009 19:55

Have you got an assistant already in mind ?

I am not really sure how you find one!

I just wrote to ofsted explaining my request, they sent the crb form which my sister filled in and I sent back. The other one is a cm2 form, they'll send you that or you can download one too. Then you just sit back and wait ! Even if the person has a crb check they will need another one done for you, so it can take time, and you are not allowed to start employing them until it is all cleared and ok'd. You also need parents written permission to use the assistant, and like I said, references for them to keep on fil.

Original poster

inthenarkynonk · 13/02/2009 19:59

ok Yes person in mind is my mum just had no idea how to go about it and if it would be hassle

OP posts:

Chatkins · 13/02/2009 20:01

No not too much hassle, it just took longer than I would have liked. At the time I really needed it as quick as possible, so it was a pain waiting and waiting. Now its nice because she's available when I need her, but as she's my sister it doesn't matter too much that I can't offer her anything regular right now !

Enthusia · 13/02/2009 20:10

Just make sure your mum hasn't lived abroad in the last 5 years!!I am just doing exactly the same with my mum but am having to get letters from Spain to check her criminal record, do you think we will have them by Christmas? I need her to start in May ARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Original poster

inthenarkynonk · 14/02/2009 11:23

I just need back up really I will check tax. How much is the going rate of pay?

OP posts:

nannynick · 14/02/2009 11:31

As it's a family member... don't pay them.
Buy them their weekly shopping every now and then instead.

nannynick · 14/02/2009 11:35

If your mum needs an official income, then you will need to operate Simplified PAYE or full PAYE, which also will mean that you have to pay minimum National Minimum Wage.

If they are paid less the NICs lower earnings limit (currently £90 per week), AND they don't have other income, then you don't need to operate PAYE. If their only other income is a Pension, contact the New Employers Helpline for advice (as I can't remember the rules on that one... though think you may need to operate full PAYE unfortunately).

Original poster

inthenarkynonk · 14/02/2009 14:40

Thanks all , do you know the minimum age for an assistant?

OP posts:

nannynick · 14/02/2009 16:36

At least 16, as they need a CRB check. Can't find anywhere that mentions age specifically though - anyone else able to find anything?

gooseegg · 14/02/2009 16:47

If your assistant is ALWAYS working under your supervision then it is ok to employ them before their full CRB clearance comes through.

It is nevertheless the childminder's responsibility to carry out their own suitable person checks i.e. take references, check proof of ID/address/qualifications, conduct interviews, before employing them.

This has ben confirmed to me by Ofsted.

gooseegg · 14/02/2009 16:52

If you are ONLY using your assistant as someone who will be working under your full supervision at all times then it IS ok to employ them whilst waiting for their full CRB clearance to come through.

This has been confirmed to me by Ofsted.

It is nevertheless the childminder's responsibility to carry out and have evidence of having carried out suitable person checks i.e take up references, conduct interviews, check proof of ID/address/qualifications prior to employing any assistant.

Original poster

inthenarkynonk · 14/02/2009 17:31

What my grand plan is to have my mum and my daughter as my assistants my daughter is almost 16 and will be leaving school in May so between them I will always have an assistant. My daughter will be at collage in September so my mum would do term and my daughter school hols. I`m sure they have to be 18 though

OP posts:

Enthusia · 14/02/2009 18:00

Gooseegg that fact may just save me and stop me worrying constantly!!!!

Does that mean that my numbers can increase if I employ my mum before her Spanish crb comes back as long as she is under my full supervision.

I have an 8 month old coming to me during her parents changing shifts but this will sometimes clash with my 2 1/2 mindee. (I have 2 under 4 of my own)

Please say yes!!!!!!! And if so do I just ring Ofsted and explain?

Eagerly awaiting response as have had few sleepness nights over this.

Enthusia · 14/02/2009 18:00

Gooseegg that fact may just save me and stop me worrying constantly!!!!

Does that mean that my numbers can increase if I employ my mum before her Spanish crb comes back as long as she is under my full supervision.

I have an 8 month old coming to me during her parents changing shifts but this will sometimes clash with my 2 1/2 mindee. (I have 2 under 4 of my own)

Please say yes!!!!!!! And if so do I just ring Ofsted and explain?

Eagerly awaiting response as have had few sleepness nights over this.

Enthusia · 14/02/2009 18:01

Sorry about that lost MN for a moment and 2 posts appeared!!!!

gooseegg · 14/02/2009 18:10

Staff/volunteers/students under the age of 17 cannot count towards the ratio and should be supervised at all times. Individuals aged 17 and over who are on long-term placements may be included in the ratios if the provider is satisfied they are competent and responsible.

inthenarkynonk - I just cut and pasted thie above from the eyfs docs.

Enthusia - I have had au pairs as my assistants for the past two years and I am 100% certain that it is fine to employ normally non uk residents as long as you carry out your own suitability checks and never leave them unsupervised and start the ball rolling with the EY2 and subsequent CRB forms straightaway. The good conduct form is a new one that my au pairs are only just being asked to find. I have two foreign assistants at the moment who are having to get them. It's not hard to do, just a paperwork bind, and doesn't stop them working for me.

gooseegg · 14/02/2009 18:13

Have you already been given the ok to increase your numbers when working with an assistant? That's important.
I had to first write a letter explaining how I would care for 6 under fives and what my resources were eg for eating and sleeping, and also to calculate the square meterage of the available space for minding.
It wasn't a question of just informing Ofsted that that was what I was going to do!

Original poster

inthenarkynonk · 14/02/2009 18:16

ok gooseegg what`s all this about au pairs....spill I have a situation where I really do need to take on an assistant full time but my mum can only do part time. Could you also have a mothers help what are the options? Not even considered au pair.

OP posts:

Enthusia · 14/02/2009 18:17

Gooseegg, thank you so much!!!! No it doesn't seem hard to get the letters of good conduct, it's just the fact it could take 3 months when I need Mum to start in April/May! So if I ring Ofsted and explain would they issue a new certificate saying about my assistant and numbers etc?

gooseegg · 14/02/2009 18:18

It is also not correct to say that you need parents' permission to employ or work with an assistant.

It is obviously good practice and common sense to make sure existing parents are informed of your decision, and it makes sense too to explain to existing parents what the benefits of two adults in the setting might be. But you do not need their permission. It's your business, not theirs, and you are responsible for making those sorts of decisions yourself.

gooseegg · 14/02/2009 18:21

I would always put anything to Ofsted in writing! Registered post, and keep a copy!

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