Babysitting in tier 2?

[AverageM1ss]

Hi,

In London, so just about to move into tier 2. Me and DH booked a restaurant for my birthday in a few weeks. Restrictions are unlikely to be relaxed before then. We've booked our regular babysitter, but me and DH are of different views as to whether it can go ahead. Babysitter is a registered childminder, and the guidelines state that registered childminders can provide childcare in private homes. However, I take that to mean that it's for essential purposes i.e work. DH reckons it's fine. But my birthday meal, although it would be nice, and I'd like to throw some money the restaurant's way, isn't essential.

If it makes a difference, both our house and the restaurant are in one of the London boroughs with the lowest cases.

Any ideas? The guidance doesn't specifically mention babysitting. I thought I was pretty clued up on this stuff, but not sure on this one.

Yes it’s fine, no one will check that you can’t clean your own home, you are allowed a cleaner. WhAts the diff with childcare?

That's true. I'm absolutely not getting rid of the cleaner! Hadn't thought of it that way.

I can't see that it's against the rules as registered childcare is allowed. Some could argue it's against the spirit of the rules. However your babysitter is entitled to work and how is what they do any different to allowing a decorator or any other tradesperson into your home. It's not like the main lockdown when they were only allowed in for essential repairs.

I think it's the spirit of the rules thing, I'm not sure it is in the spirit of the rules. But I am capable of cleaning my house (badly) and painting walls, but there might be a decorator coming over soon.

There is an exemption for Work... so it fits with that as they are being paid.
There is an exemption for registered childcare... so it fits with that.

So legally it's fine.

Should you be minimising your use of non-essential childcare... possibly so given that it does mean contact with someone else who you may not be seeing on a very regular basis already.

So is it a moral dilemma? Babysitter may need the income to feed their family... would that change things?

It's weighing up the balance of everything, isn't it? I have friends who work in hospitality who are really struggling, therefore I'd like to support hospitality. I know of several childcare providers locally who have struggled. Our babysitter mentioned last time we saw her that she has fewer children now than she used to. So she may not be earning as much as before, in which case I'd like to support her. At the same time, I'm limiting all other interactions to avoid getting sick and isolation.

I think it is legal, and I doubt anyone would be fined if caught. If an MP who knowingly travelled on a train is having no action against her it should be fine! But morally? Still not 100%.

OP life is hard atm, it’s going to get worse as winter sets in. Go and enjoy your dinner!! We all deserve a treat and the restaurant will want you.