This amounts to childminding doesn't it?

[anonymousbird]

I have found out that a friend collects her neighbour's son from school every day and has him at her house until one of the parents gets home from work (around 6pm).

This is an on going arrangement.

Am I correct that this is childminding? Does it make any difference whether or not money changes hands?

In this case, money does change hands.

I have absolutely no "concerns" about the arrangement, they are very close friends and the mother doing the minding is super. But what are the consequences, potentially, of her doing this and not being registered?

If the child is over 8 or the 'minding' is for less than 2 hours a day then she does not officially have to be registered. If not it is illegal. She has no insurance, will unlikely be paying any NI or tax and is unregulated.

Thank you SMM.
The minding is pretty much 3-6 five days a week, all term. The child is over 8.

Hmmm...

Care for children aged 8+ is unregulated.
You have no concerns about the child's safety, so not sure why you would want to get involved.

Agree with Nick.
There's nothing illegal about what these mums are doing and it sounds as though the child is being looked after properly, where's the problem?

No no, I don't want to get involved, I was just worried for my friend getting into trouble etc or whatever. Quite the opposite, I think if the arrangement works for them that is great. She wants the money, her neighbour needs post school cover...
I am relieved that it sounds like she is all above board. Phew.

I got the impression anonymousbird just wanted to make sure her friend couldn't get in to trouble doing it

I didn't know about the 8 year old and above being unregulated, my children are younger so have not crossed that threshold yet...

cross post - sorry