When does looking after a friend's child become childminding?

[Hulababy]

Just curious after something I have read really.

Can people really not just look after a friend's child for them for the day every so often? What about if it was, say, once a week for an afternoon perhaps? Does the age of the child make a difference?

Don't think that's the case either though dustystar.

Think you can pay relatives and it doesn't mean they have to register.

But if the child's parents want to have help towards childcare from tax credits then the person looking after their child has to register. And then they have to look after children other than relatives for the parents to be eligible for tax credits.

I think that's correct, but I'm sure someone will come along and tell me it's not.

I couldn't find them either. it just said that they don't have to be registered but can choose to be if they want in which case they have to meet ofsteds standards.

Oops - sorry about posting twice.

You may be right jones. It might just have been our local authority's policy when i registered.

I guess it is different for us then as GP look after my kids so I can have a break and they can spend time with them.

Just bring this back again as it has come back up again.

It has been mooted that I may look after my friend's baby once a week - 4 hours during the day - once mum is back at work.

She would have back up childcare - her mum - so if I had to cancel for some reason it would't be a big issue as such, not that I would intend to bar holidays. And then she'd have her elder child off anyway so would be getting extra childcare - her family - to sort that anyway.

I would not be being paid, through choice. And I don't have a baby myself so no reciprocal babysittin as "reward".

My DD and her elder child already have playdates, although often we are there too chating and the girls have sleep overs, etc. And we holiday together a bit too. So there would be no rewardabove and beyond what is already occuring.

Is this legal or not?

A friend helping out a firend?

If you look after her at her house you're fine. If you do it from your house and there is no reward then you're fine. If it is in your house, and you receive some reward, either in terms of money, items in kind etc then for children under 8 you need to register.

Sounds as if you don't need to register as you're doing this altruistically.

No reward apart from getting to spend time and have fun with a gorgeous little baby boy, who I am supposed to be becoming godmother to once a baptism is sorted!

I did email the National Childminding people but not heard back so far.

My mind says it should be fine as there is no additional reward from looking after him for me - no payment and no extra babysitting.

Well the law is meant to be common sense really - it is aiming to ensure that all those who provide a service for payment are registered. The difficulty is that in order to prevent the system being abused they have a relatively strict view as to when informal non-cash arrangements are also caught by the rules.

Anyway, enjoy the time with your godson! Is this an outlet for suppresed broodiness?![I know you're sticking with one, but it is still nice to cuddle a baby!]

LadyMuck - more than broodiness! And he is such a smily little thing And not sticking with one if we can do anything about it. Had the two ops to remove all my uterine adhesions now, and all the HRT treatment, so just waiting for all clear from GP, so fingers crossed

Just in case this does relate to anyone else in similar circumstances, I have had a reply from the National Childminders Association:

"There is no requirement for you to become a Registered childminder unless you are being paid

If you were interested in becoming a registered childminder then yu are required to contact Ofsted 0845 601 4771

If you were looking after the child from their own home for renumeration then you are called a Nanny and I would direct you to Ofsted again
"