Making DH my assistant CM - lots of questions

[mumnosbest]

I'm thinking about applying for DH to become my assistant as it would solve loads of problems but I'm not really sure what responsibilities an assistant can take on. So here are a few questions but any other info or experiences will be much appreciated, THANKS!

How long (roughly) does it take to make someone an assistant?

Can they be left alone with children, e.g. if I'm doing a pick up?

Are they allowed to drive with the children, if insured?

Can I take on more children?

I don't know how long it takes, but shouldn't take to long as he will already be CRB checked etc.

He can be left alone with Early Years children, but not Childcare register children.

He could drive as long as the above is adhered too.

You may be able to take extra children, Ofsted decide each case on its own merits.

Thanks littlepaws thats helpful. By Early Years, do you mean those at school? Is it under 8's that are on the register? I get really mixed up

EY is under 5

If they are at school they can't be left with an assistant

If they are in reception they can be left with an assistant if they are in the EY ratios (ie 3 under 5 per adult)

That's great, thanks KatyMac.
What I'm wanting to do is take on at least 1 extra child and get my DH to take my 3yr old and 9yr old mindees home in an evening as we couldn't all fit in the car. Sounds like he could do this as 9yr old is on the voluntary reg.

Hi my DH has been my registered assistant for a couple of years now we are registered for 5 under five (which includes 2 baby spaces) 4 over five and of course over 8'S insurance with assistant covers us for 18 would have to be nuts to have that many all at once though you still have to be able too care for them all properly. I am allowed to leave my assistant in sole charge of all age groups with parental consent, which each parent agrees to when contracts are completed. It makes a big difference to us for school / nursery pick up's as DH can pick up drop off as I don't drive so we can do different schools at same time, great to have an extra pair of hands and the children benefit by having a male role model as well. It works well for us I started CM so I could be close on hand if my DD was poorly at school (had a heart prob) but still needed to work, had worked in a nursery previously and enjoyed it, took me a couple of months to get any mindees (was starting to panic a bit) but then filled up within a month in the end started looking for an assistant, then decided that DH would be the best bet took some convincing but it's worked for us, doesn't for everyone though. Our last inspecter said we could be registered for more if we wished but tbh I don't like being full as it's difficult to get out and about, without a double decker, and little ones need a lot more care teething, crawling, learning to walk etc so I am comfortable with the numbers we have now, especially with the extra eyfs paperwork.
I would suggest that you go ahead and register it's a good safety net to have in case of emergencies it will be useful.

atworknotworking be careful about assistants and over 5's there is new ruling out here

It has made my life really difficult (I got the fact sheet last week - so it really is new)

thanks again atwork, ur a mine of help, just got your advice on my other thread about evidence

Can I just jump in and ask a question too - if you have your other half as your assistant do you have to register as an employer / pay tax etc or can you just have your own earnings as all my earnings pay all our bills anyway?

Thanx katymac - more bumf 2 go thru - had a quick shufty and spoke to ofsted last sept when i spotted some small print on the new childcare register details (very small print) havn't seen this one though will have a good look through later to make sure i'm ok.

Hi Katyx3 no my dh is self employed so does his own returns and pays own tax ni i know some minders who employ though it's up to you which way works best just make sure you have employers liability ins and notify osfted (see katymac's info above)