Should I look after friends child?

JimmyTheWig

VRose wrote: »

I have been asked by a friend to have her nearly 2 yr old for 1.5 days a week and she will pay me.

VRose wrote: »

The effort of being self employed is a major factor.

Registration questions aside, I can't see this as anything other than self-employment.
Unless your friend wants to employ you directly (and be liable for your NI and PAYE, paid holidays, employment rights, etc) then you will be self employed as far as I can see.

SuzyZ

I can't see anything wrong with doing this, even if not ideal job - it would pay extra bills for now.

A friend of mine has 3 kids under 10 and her DH works as stone-mason but not great pay, just contracts or where he works eg churches etc.

She was doing cleaning/cooking for various elderly people on freelance basis but wasn't 100% happy with this.

Then she took the childcare course and has a few clients and is happy for now doing this. She loves kids and the school is a 3 minute walk away.

go for it

warehouse

Yes absolutely. This is exactly how my own Wife got into Childcare and now earns a decent wage for the hours put in. Getting qualified will be childs play for you with your background, (no pun intended), an extra social life will open up with the different groups you will probably attend and the rest is common sense.

cr1mson

If you are going to do it do it properly and register otherwise you could get into serious trouble. If you register you are under no obligation to take any other kids so you could just take them.

jillyjacks

its illeagl to do this for more than 2 hours a day if the children are under 8...see this fact sheet for further information

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/factsheet-childcare-registration-not-required

VRose

Thank you for all of the responses.
I have often done favours for friends by taking their child for a bit, like all friends do, for the odd appointment ect. I never planned to 'make a living' from it, I was tempted by the idea of a bit of pocket money, but realise its not what I want at the moment.
I told my friend with the nearly 2 yr old that I would be happy to occasionally have her child, as a friend, without payment. She said she just wanted someone who knew her son. I am feeling she would just take advantage, if I let her. I am going to have to keep working with her to not take her child when its not convenient, like the 2 times this week.

The other friend is different, in that her child is a friend of my dd and works out much better. I know she needs help, temporarily and I'm happy to do this as it fits in well with both families. I am happy to do this with out payment and I know that she would reciprocate, when I need someone to look after my kids.

Pocket money would have been nice, and I may still end up getting registered as a childminder once my youngest is at school, but this has made me realise; I am happy the way things are for now.

Thanks again for you help