Finacially worth it - assistants

[FizzysFriends]

Im thinking through the idea of getting an assistant during the school holidays. At the moment im getting lots of enquiries for holiday only places and don't want to turn work away if there is profit to be made by expanding.

Do those of you with an assistant think its worth it (no chance of free labour as no hubby to do it) or does it bring too many hassles with it?

[Mollymop]

I would like to know too, I have no idea, but thought I would bump it up for you. Hope you get some replies soonx

[zillervalley]

just had hubby as mine, cant even start to think what you would havr to do, unless its the same as hubby, you fill in a form and send to get crb, thats all i know


ziller

[sarah707]

I work with my partner.

If we'd upped our numbers we would have had to apply for planning permission which would have cost around £300 and no guaranteed success.

Ofsted weren't happy to give us more either, even though we have a dedicated conservatory and play room.

So we stuck to 6 maximum and even though he is registered in his own right I would say that it's difficult to manage more than that (plus teenagers of our own and older children after schoolers) in a home environment.

We both take a percentage from the income of the business as a whole - so if we are quiet one day and busy another it evens out. If you have an assistant you will need to pay a set figure and that might be difficult if you lose a child...

You have to get the jobs worked out as well as to who does what. Who is in charge of admin? Who cooks? Who washes up and dries? Who mostly talks to parents? What if someone doesn't pull their weight? What if one of you is off sick... which families would you stop coming?

Hope this has helped :D

[Mollymop]

Sarah, I know you love childminding, but you do so well and have got the max you are allowed to have at your own house so I wondered, would you ever consider opening a nursery, you and b/fr as managers?

[sarah707]

Sarah, I know you love childminding, but you do so well and have got the max you are allowed to have at your own house so I wondered, would you ever consider opening a nursery, you and b/fr as managers?

One of the main reasons I work from home is to be here for my ds who has a lot of time off school.

While he is needing me I will be here for him.

But thank you I appreciate your faith in me :D

[butterfly]

can i clarify how many children under 6 you're allowed with your partner? i'm thinking of taking on an assistant and am hoping they'll increase my numbers to 6 under 5.

[Pauline]

can i clarify how many children under 6 you're allowed with your partner? i'm thinking of taking on an assistant and am hoping they'll increase my numbers to 6 under 5.

They allowed us 6 under 5's but it does depend on space/child ratio etc. so it will vary from person to person.

[jeanybeany]

They allowed us 6 under 5's but it does depend on space/child ratio etc. so it will vary from person to person.

Did you just ask Ofsted if they would up your numbers? If so how did you go about it? Is your Partner registered as an assistant or a childminder?

Thanks for your help!

Hubby and me keep discussing it, but it's a bit scary when you have a whopping mortgage to pay and 3 young children to support, but at the same time no jobs safe. I don't know whether to just ask Ofsted first about if they would increase the numbers for under 5's, especially as I cannot fill over 5's easily or would they make us go through all the application processes first............I'm glad you posted this thread and sorry if I have imposed a little, but thanks for your thoughts

Jeanybeany x:D

[Pauline]

Did you just ask Ofsted if they would up your numbers? If so how did you go about it? Is your Partner registered as an assistant or a childminder?

Thanks for your help!

Hubby and me keep discussing it, but it's a bit scary when you have a whopping mortgage to pay and 3 young children to support, but at the same time no jobs safe. I don't know whether to just ask Ofsted first about if they would increase the numbers for under 5's, especially as I cannot fill over 5's easily or would they make us go through all the application processes first............I'm glad you posted this thread and sorry if I have imposed a little, but thanks for your thoughts

Jeanybeany x:D

It wasn't till everything had gone through that they asked if we wanted increased numbers, it can all depend on your space/child ratio, how long you have been minding, why you want increased numbers etc. etc. He is registered as my assistant and we simply filled out the forms and sent them in, it only about 6 weeks before everything was done and a new certificate followed with an added listing of what numbers we could have working together.

However, being that bit older we don't have to commitments that you have which mean you need a guaranteed and large income.

[jeanybeany]

It wasn't till everything had gone through that they asked if we wanted increased numbers, it can all depend on your space/child ratio, how long you have been minding, why you want increased numbers etc. etc. He is registered as my assistant and we simply filled out the forms and sent them in, it only about 6 weeks before everything was done and a new certificate followed with an added listing of what numbers we could have working together.

However, being that bit older we don't have to commitments that you have which mean you need a guaranteed and large income.

Thanks Pauline for your advise and thoughts. I think we still need to discuss it lots :D

[Merry-Minder]

Im thinking through the idea of getting an assistant during the school holidays. At the moment im getting lots of enquiries for holiday only places and don't want to turn work away if there is profit to be made by expanding.

Do those of you with an assistant think its worth it (no chance of free labour as no hubby to do it) or does it bring too many hassles with it?

I was told by my development worker, that having an assistant does not allow you to increase your child numbers - so therefore you must share the earnings you already get, so I cant see how this would be financially viable - or have I been told wrong???

[Pauline]

I was told by my development worker, that having an assistant does not allow you to increase your child numbers - so therefore you must share the earnings you already get, so I cant see how this would be financially viable - or have I been told wrong???

You have been told wrong. However it doesn't automatically allow you to increase numbers, Ofsted take each case on its own merit. We can have 8 under 8's 6 under 5's and two under 1's when we work together.

:)

[Chatterbox Childcare]

I have just been given 6 on the early years register and when I have an assistant I can have 6 under 5 and 9 under 8.

As long as you can cover holidays and sickness it doesn't cost anything to register them.

[jeanybeany]

I have decided to register my hubby and we have filled out all the forms to apply and also to up my numbers when working with an assistant. We have decided to see how things go and both think we might as well do it. I'm hoping they will let me have 6 under 5's when working with him, including our own children and let me have the spaces to carry on caring for the children I already have on my books in the 5-8 age range, which is 2 most nights.
Hopefully if they do we will fill the spaces and hubby can work with me. He's looking forward to it and also with being with our children, but we are not getting our hopes up. I'm looking forward to bossing him about :laughing:

[manjay]

How does everyone who is allowed more than 6 under 8's go on with planning permission. Is it a necessity in all areas of the country or is it different in each region? Hubby and I are allowed 5 under 5's (we have our own 3 year old) if we work together but that still doesn't make it financially viable if we could then no longer look after the 5-8 year olds iyswim!!!

[rickysmiths]

How does everyone who is allowed more than 6 under 8's go on with planning permission. Is it a necessity in all areas of the country or is it different in each region? Hubby and I are allowed 5 under 5's (we have our own 3 year old) if we work together but that still doesn't make it financially viable if we could then no longer look after the 5-8 year olds iyswim!!!


Hi there. I am allowed 5 under 5s and an extra 2 5-8s if working with an assistant. My dh has been registered as my assistant for several years now really so we could have a couple extra old ones in the holidays-he is a teacher.

I did a lot of research this summer because over the last three years I have been lucky enough to have build up a core of georgous children and parents and would have been going over numbers and potentially going to 2 schools from next year, to see if I should work with an assistant.

I got a variation to have 4 under 5s every day on my own. I would have had 5 under fives plus 2 before and after school.

When I worked out how much I would have had to pay, min wage ( £5.73ph ), plus 4 weeks paid annual holiday, plus statutory sick pay. If they work more than 15hrs a week (I would have needed 30 hrs £171.90pw) or earn more than £95pw you are legally bound to employ them they can't opt to be self employed. Then you have to pay their tax and NI and produce a pay slip reflecting all this info.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/nmw/

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Pay/DG_10027201

I decided that for one extra child it wasn't worth it, the assistant would be costing more per week than the childs fee so I would be out of pocket.

If I was to take on more children then I couldn't see all of us and two adults in the house and I have quite a large space.

I would have had to have another asistant on stand by effectivly in case the assistant was ill and then I would have to pay both of them! If I was off sick (rarely has this happened thank goodness but it has) I couldn't employ a Stand in assistant to help an assistant so I would have to close and still pay my assiatant.

No one else on here seems to comment on all the above.

It would be interesting to hear what people who work with assistants who are not their parteners work things out.

I decided for me it was all too much hassle. Maybe I'm too old and set in my ways lol. :laughing: I have stuck to my 4 under 5s on my own.

[FizzysFriends]

I was planning on paying my assistant as a sub-contractor, she would invoice me at the end of the month. I always thought this was ok (many people work like this in certain industries, inc my brother as they get paid a higher rate), but I did read somewhere (on this forum possibly) they would have to work for others too.

[manjay]

Hi there. I am allowed 5 under 5s and an extra 2 5-8s if working with an assistant. My dh has been registered as my assistant for several years now really so we could have a couple extra old ones in the holidays-he is a teacher.

I did a lot of research this summer because over the last three years I have been lucky enough to have build up a core of georgous children and parents and would have been going over numbers and potentially going to 2 schools from next year, to see if I should work with an assistant.

I got a variation to have 4 under 5s every day on my own. I would have had 5 under fives plus 2 before and after school.

When I worked out how much I would have had to pay, min wage ( £5.73ph ), plus 4 weeks paid annual holiday, plus statutory sick pay. If they work more than 15hrs a week (I would have needed 30 hrs £171.90pw) or earn more than £95pw you are legally bound to employ them they can't opt to be self employed. Then you have to pay their tax and NI and produce a pay slip reflecting all this info.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/nmw/

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Pay/DG_10027201

I decided that for one extra child it wasn't worth it, the assistant would be costing more per week than the childs fee so I would be out of pocket.

If I was to take on more children then I couldn't see all of us and two adults in the house and I have quite a large space.

I would have had to have another asistant on stand by effectivly in case the assistant was ill and then I would have to pay both of them! If I was off sick (rarely has this happened thank goodness but it has) I couldn't employ a Stand in assistant to help an assistant so I would have to close and still pay my assiatant.

No one else on here seems to comment on all the above.

It would be interesting to hear what people who work with assistants who are not their parteners work things out.

I decided for me it was all too much hassle. Maybe I'm too old and set in my ways lol. :laughing: I have stuck to my 4 under 5s on my own.

Maybe you are:laughing: Lol;) I am still not sure I understand why you can't have someone with you on a self employed basis but you have obviously researched it and I haven't. Would it be the same if I had anyone of any proffession doing things for me in my house and I had to pay them more than £95 per week? Not that I can think what they could be doing but just trying to understand

Hubby and I are both registered and self employed in our own right so slightly different than working with an unrelated assistant. I would just like the ability of taking on new under 5's (to make it financially worthwhile) without having to let the longstanding mindees go when they move to the 5-8 catergory. So for instance we could make it work if we were allowed the 6 under 8's that we can have at the moment but also 3 after school places. Not sure if that makes sense but it does to me!Lol:rolleyes:

[manjay]

I was planning on paying my assistant as a sub-contractor, she would invoice me at the end of the month. I always thought this was ok (many people work like this in certain industries, inc my brother as they get paid a higher rate), but I did read somewhere (on this forum possibly) they would have to work for others too.

Just read this thread to hubby and he agrees with what you are saying(he used to be a small business advisor) He says in his line of work he has to take on jobs from more than one company. If he were just to sub contract to 1 company he would then be deemed as employed and not self employed.

[FizzysFriends]

Just read this thread to hubby and he agrees with what you are saying(he used to be a small business advisor) He says in his line of work he has to take on jobs from more than one company. If he were just to sub contract to 1 company he would then be deemed as employed and not self employed.

I was just reading the HMRC website and it appears it could be different rules as its on domestic premises. Will look into properly when the time comes for an assisstant.

[manjay]

I was just reading the HMRC website and it appears it could be different rules as its on domestic premises. Will look into properly when the time comes for an assisstant.

OK:thumbsup:

[jeanybeany]

I rang the tax office the other day to see where I would stand if hubby was to become my assistant, as I wanted to be clear after reading what someone else posted in another thread about the £95? The lady said that an assistant could be self employed as long as they agreed to this and it was up to me to decide on the route to take. I asked her this twice to clarify I had understood it right.
:D

[rickysmiths]

I rang the tax office the other day to see where I would stand if hubby was to become my assistant, as I wanted to be clear after reading what someone else posted in another thread about the £95? The lady said that an assistant could be self employed as long as they agreed to this and it was up to me to decide on the route to take. I asked her this twice to clarify I had understood it right.
:D




Hi there. My husband has been registered as my assistant for years but I don't pay him :laughing: :laughing:

I'm afraid I think you may have been given the wrong advise. It may be different for a husband and wife/partener team but even if you work with another unrelated reg childmider in the same house you have to be very careful.

[jeanybeany]

Hi there. My husband has been registered as my assistant for years but I don't pay him :laughing: :laughing:

I'm afraid I think you may have been given the wrong advise. It may be different for a husband and wife/partener team but even if you work with another unrelated reg childmider in the same house you have to be very careful.

I know! This is why I rang, I explained the situation as it would be and that is what she told me more than once and she should know after all! Anyway before and if we go ahead I will ring the tax office again to clarify and will ask my friends hubby as he is an accountant so he should know. Any way my hubby says I don't have to pay him, which is fine by me! The lady was pretty persistant though that he could register as self employed, I can only go off the information I was told.

[rickysmiths]

I know! This is why I rang, I explained the situation as it would be and that is what she told me more than once and she should know after all! Anyway before and if we go ahead I will ring the tax office again to clarify and will ask my friends hubby as he is an accountant so he should know. Any way my hubby says I don't have to pay him, which is fine by me! The lady was pretty persistant though that he could register as self employed, I can only go off the information I was told.



Its hard isn't it. It was my accountant, who sepcialises in Self Employed that told me all the info.

[FizzysFriends]

It is upto you to decide the correct route for payment, there are simple rules to work it out and according the HMRC its not to do with amount you pay them its to do with their role within the company. But if you are unsure you can give the details to the HMRC and they will put it in writing as to what they think you should do and this would help if you are ever pulled up on it because if you pay as self emplyed and they audit you and decide you are wrong they will back date the tax and nics and add interest.

[jeanybeany]

It is upto you to decide the correct route for payment, there are simple rules to work it out and according the HMRC its not to do with amount you pay them its to do with their role within the company. But if you are unsure you can give the details to the HMRC and they will put it in writing as to what they think you should do and this would help if you are ever pulled up on it because if you pay as self emplyed and they audit you and decide you are wrong they will back date the tax and nics and add interest.

Thanks for the info, sounds like what I was told by them!

[mum2two]

Reading this just made me remember a conversation with my accountant friend.

She said the same thing as one of the others, that if reg as self employed, then they have to work for others as well.

I'm still looking into it, as I felt really guilty about giving notice to a couple of kids.