How long/regularly do you have to care for a child before you have to register as a childminder?

[McDreamy]

I regularly pick up/drop off a neighbours child at school which I don't have a problem with as I have to pick my children up anyway so one more doesn't make an awful lot of difference. It used to be that he would come back to mine and once his older sister got back from secondary school she would come and collect him - about 20 -30 mins after we got home.

However, recently (a couple of times) this has been extended to 6pm when his dad gets home. It's not too much of a problem although it hasn't been discussed with me .

Now if this starts happening more regularly (everytime I pick him up, once twice occasionally 3 times a week) does this mean that legally I would have to register as a childminder? No money exchanges hands between us. I do not want to be a childminder.

bump

The rules surrounding friends caring for friends children have changed recently.

It sounds like what you are doing is within the remit. Its when money starts changing hands

www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2010_0069

hope that helps.

if you do reg as a cm you prob wont have this child as parents prob wont want to pay you.

if i offered to pick up a child from school and walk them home and keep them for 20+mins and they didnt turn up till 6pm without a word to me i would be on the phone to ss and wouldnt offer again!!!!

I do feel a bit taken advantage of tbh. He's still here again (I picked him up at 2.30pm)

Well at least I'm not breaking the law. I think if it's 6pm again I am going to have a quiet chat. We wanted to go swimming this afternoon but we can't at the moment

McDreamy, you could use the "look this is illegal" angle if you wanted to stop the situation though if you wanted.

It's not illegal so long as you get nothing in return for the arrangement I think - Nannynick posted something on this the other day I will see if I can find it.

Thats taking advantage and I hope you told them about missing swimming, tell them you can't do it on thursday and friday next week as you need to go out and see what they say.