Childminders working together

[slipperandpjsmum]

Does anyone do childminding with another childminder? How do you find it works? What are the advantages/disadvantages?

My childminder works with her mum and her sister who are also registered cms. They go to the park together with all the kids.

It works well because it means the little ones get to socialise during the day while the others are at school. It also means that if a child scrapes a knee, one childminder can sort the plaster while the others keep an eye on the remaining children. Plus they take holidays at different times so they can cover for each other to some extent.

As a parent I get a copy of all their CRB checks and certificates so I think it's great.

I work with my DH and it works well (most of the time). The children love it. I did once consider working with another childminder, who I trusted 100%. Not sure how I would feel about working with another person if I wasn't sure that they'd turn up in the morning, or do a good job.

Advantages
Supervision, while one answers phone, goes to wc, washes up etc there is someone else to do an activity/supervise the children
Hygiene, someone can wash up/sweep etc after an activity/meal while someone is supervising so the washing up doesn't build up cos you had to go change a nappy or
Smoother Naptimes & arrivals, if a child needs more attention to help settle when arriving or to sleep then the care of the other children isn't compromised
Confidentiality, someone to discuss issues with without breaching confidentiality, how to approach a parent or deal with a behaviour issue or how to write a policy or even just how the day went etc
Possibly can split up at school collection times to collect from different schools or to have naptimes continue uninterupted indoors while one goes to collect

Disadvantages
Keeping to the required child ratios, if you want holidays at different times,
Planning for maternity leave, sick leave etc;
more chance of having to close - 2 people and their families who can become sick or need compassionate leave for funeral etc

If you are both childminders in your own right, only the person who owns the property can claim the utilities & wear & tear allowances.

If you're working with a hubby/partner can your relationship stand 24/7 togetherness
Do you split the income 50/50 or allocate children to each person?

If you work together as equals, how you will resolve issues where you don't see eye to eye?

If one is employed by the other, sorting out tax & NI, maternity pay/sick pay etc. Redundancy, sacking issues

Whistleblowing policy

Childcare income is irregular, when children leave and vacancies are not filled immediately will there be enough to pay you both?

i want to work with another childminder, taking a lesser role so like an assistant but she wont be employing me, ill work less hours.
willt his be ok with ofsted im currently minding in my own home?

do i jutst ring ofsted and tell them im minding in another house ?

My mate hires assistants, she employs them then sorts out CRB's - which I wouldnt do btw.

When I called Ofsted to ask them how I go about employing an assistant they told me that I had to have a full CRB done - through me - the one they had apparently doesn't count, as now for each employment it has to be re-done.

However I take anything the switchboard says with a as I never get the same answer twice. Shouldn't be a problem with ofsted, you are reg'd in your own right so suitably qualified to work at another setting. Just phone and tell them that you are now going to be working as an assistant for X do I need another CRB, they will prob ask you if you want to deregister as well, but you dont have too.

If they say you will need another CRB, then you could still work with minder but not be left alone until it comes through. Just bear in mind that you will need new consents doing for the mindees confirming that they can be left with an assistant / sole charge etc.

she has consents done now and ofsted have emailed a form to be filled out.
they didnt mention a new crb but may be worth getting one done anyway.
ive got my first aid and food hygene too.

looks like its all go :D

That was easier than I thought, just a form, but then they said SEF was just a form as well.

I'm pleased for you it sounds like you will be much happier with hours / responsibilities, basically very

Good luck

well a lonnnng form but im not filling it out other minder is

yes few more things to sort and then ill be ready

just need to give notice to one of my mums, n i know she wont be pleased