childminding - the rules?

[catty]

I am thinking of taking a child to school and back and I would be getting payment for this. It definately would be nowhere near the taxable amount but am I right in thinking I will need to be a registered childminder to do this? also does anyone know an easy site to find info

thanks

 

[Quartz]

not necessarily the rules are roughly as follows:

Childminder - Anyone who looks after other people's children in their own home for more than two hours at a time for payment or reward must, by law, be registered as a childminder. And anyone who looks after children from three or more families on any domestic premises for payment or reward must, by law, be registered as a childminder. Generally self-employed.

Nannies - generally work in the child's home and are employed by the child's parent(s).

Babysitters - Babysitters generally work in the child's home and do not need to be registered, insured or trained.

So basically childminders get paid to look after other people's children in the childminder's home for more than 2 hours at a time or on any premises if they have children from 3 or more families. Nannies and babysitters generally work with one family at a time in the child's home.

 

[catty]

thanks
it would be in my home from maybe 3.30-5 or similar so less than 2 hours. also we would maybe even be at the park on the way home. I think since its less than 2 hours I would be fine to just do cash in hand?

 

[Quartz]

as long as its less than 2 hours - it would get tricky though if she were late (although someone would have to report you! what about the hours to school aswell?

 

[freckleonear]

You would probably not need to be a registered childminder (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...ata/file/433261/Registration_not_required.pdf), but you would still need to be registered as self-employed and declare the income to HMRC and any benefit agencies.

 

[liz1985]

I was going to be a childminder and the boundries are quite blurry. They did a big thing on what constitutes payment and even someone giving you gifts instead of cash on a regular basis counts as payment. Theres rules about arrangements with friends etc. I would think you would be fine but id be tempted to check out where you stand. Both for the money side but also the child side. Say the child ever had an accident in your care, esspesially a serious one, no matter how close you are to that parent in that situation you could quickly go from someone doing them a lovely favour to someone they are reporting for neglect/illegal childminding, not declaring income etc. I know its extreme but it happens, id just want to be sure where i stood legally.

 

[Gem1302]

From PACEY (childcare organisation)

'Officially, if you are paid or rewarded to look after one or more children under the age of 8, for more than a total of two hours a day in a domestic setting (normally your own home) then you must register as a childminder.'

I'd be careful about the payment & how long the children are with you. If it will only be 1.5 hours, then it's more babysitting.

 

[tommyg]

You also have to think about school holidays are you going to have the child during the day?

Yes you could get away with it as babysitting but it might be worth telling HMRC and having insurance in place.

Also being set up properly means you could take on other kids too.

 

[_jellybean_]

Agree with Liz...you just never know and it's better to protect yourself.

 

[Pearls18]

I know another big thing is if you provide food....I think?

In my community quite a lot of women will look after other people's children and be paid for it off the books, we live away from our families so little help, no parents etc, it's more a "you scratch my back, I will scratch yours" kind of thing, helping each other and offer a bit of money as a thanks so it does go on although technically not legit, I personally need a registered childminder and feel more at ease with the qualifications they have.

 

[catty]

thing is I qualified as a paediatric nurse so when I put my profile on the childminding/babysitting page I was getting like 20/30 emails but I think childmimding is a different qualification entirely and dont think people understood I wasnt registered?!?

 

[Pearls18]

Ooooh id want you in a heart beat!

 

[liz1985]

thing is I qualified as a paediatric nurse so when I put my profile on the childminding/babysitting page I was getting like 20/30 emails but I think childmimding is a different qualification entirely and dont think people understood I wasnt registered?!?

Yeah you would still need to qualify as a childminder. Im a qualified early years practitioner but still had to do a childminder course when i was going to do it. Not sure if its the same everywhere but its quite cheap to qualify here. It cost me £50 to do the course but the start up costs are high. Having to pay to register with OFSTED etc. But might be worth looking into it if its something you fancy doing.