Hi I am on the committee of our local pre-school which my ds also attends. We opened in March after the other one closed down. The pre-school is excellent but they seem to have a few staffing issues in that we can only have 17 children at any one time so only have 4 staff members throughout the week and depending on how many children will depend on how many staff come in to caver ratios. Anyway since we opened at least once a week one of us on committee has had to go in to cover training, staff absence or holiday. I know we are allowed to do this as we are all crb checked and there is always someone there with the minimum qualification required. I am also a reg childminder and currently don't have any mindees from Sept. They will be looking for another member of staff eventually as have funding for a special needs child to join us in the future. I was wondering whether it might be a good idea to offer my services (as basically adhoc cover staff and to come in to make up the ratio when the child starts) and come in on a self employed basis therefore billing them for any hours I work. The thing is I would only have to do 10 hours a week at minimum wage to earn more than I do as a cm and obviously I know it would be a risk that some weeks I would earn nothing but am doing that now! Could this be done? Am I silly to even suggest? Would love to hear your views. TIA