liz252
19-08-2009, 08:47 PM
I have recently registered an assistant so thought I'd share with you all what we've been through ...
- 1st we filled out an EY2 form. We also enclosed a character reference letter with it just because we could. Within days Ofsted sent her a form to fill out so she could be CRB checked.
- Her CRB check came back absolutely fine (took about 6 weeks)
- A letter came through from Ofsted to her & me saying she was a suitable candidate for being my assistant.
- She took an Early Years first aid course & passed.
- I wrote to Ofsted enclosing copies of her CRB check, letter of suitability & first aid certificate requesting we be allowed to change our numbers of children. I also stated I felt we had a big enough house & garden to give a safe, secure & happy environment to more children & we were looking forward to working together etc. etc.
- Ofsted phoned & talked me through what they were intending. They have allowed us to have 7 children under 5 (she implied she would go up to 8 but I decided 7 would be enough!). She said that with parents permission they could be left in sole charge of my assistant for short periods of time such as school drops offs. She told me it was different for the over 5's but I only have 2 over 5's so am not bothered anyway.
- I phoned NCMA & was told I need Employers Liability, so I bought that for a further £5 per year - bargain!
- We have decided she is self-employed so will invoice me the hours she's worked at the end of the month, I will then pay her £X per hour.
So, all sorted - just need more kiddies now!!! :clapping:
Assuming we get up to full capacity, it will be financially worthwhile as even with our own kids I will be earning more than I pay her per hour. I will also put what I pay her through the books as I'm sub-contracting out work & dont wish to pay tax on it. Apart from the extra kids I'm looking forward to having an extra pair of hands to help and am intending to do paperwork in the afternoons when half of them are asleep & she can have quiet time/reading time with those who are awake. This will leave me my evenings free!
Incidentally, whilst on her first aid course another assistant was talking about the ICP course but I have spoken to various people these past weeks & no-one has ever mentioned it. I get the impression it would look favourable if she did it, but it is not compulsory. Personally I think first aid is more important, and may also suggest she does local safeguarding but I dont believe the ICP to be necessary.
Anyone looking for an assistant, good luck, it seems time consuming at times but we got there in the end - fingers crossed we get some more enquiries now!
Liz x
p.s sorry for the long post!
- 1st we filled out an EY2 form. We also enclosed a character reference letter with it just because we could. Within days Ofsted sent her a form to fill out so she could be CRB checked.
- Her CRB check came back absolutely fine (took about 6 weeks)
- A letter came through from Ofsted to her & me saying she was a suitable candidate for being my assistant.
- She took an Early Years first aid course & passed.
- I wrote to Ofsted enclosing copies of her CRB check, letter of suitability & first aid certificate requesting we be allowed to change our numbers of children. I also stated I felt we had a big enough house & garden to give a safe, secure & happy environment to more children & we were looking forward to working together etc. etc.
- Ofsted phoned & talked me through what they were intending. They have allowed us to have 7 children under 5 (she implied she would go up to 8 but I decided 7 would be enough!). She said that with parents permission they could be left in sole charge of my assistant for short periods of time such as school drops offs. She told me it was different for the over 5's but I only have 2 over 5's so am not bothered anyway.
- I phoned NCMA & was told I need Employers Liability, so I bought that for a further £5 per year - bargain!
- We have decided she is self-employed so will invoice me the hours she's worked at the end of the month, I will then pay her £X per hour.
So, all sorted - just need more kiddies now!!! :clapping:
Assuming we get up to full capacity, it will be financially worthwhile as even with our own kids I will be earning more than I pay her per hour. I will also put what I pay her through the books as I'm sub-contracting out work & dont wish to pay tax on it. Apart from the extra kids I'm looking forward to having an extra pair of hands to help and am intending to do paperwork in the afternoons when half of them are asleep & she can have quiet time/reading time with those who are awake. This will leave me my evenings free!
Incidentally, whilst on her first aid course another assistant was talking about the ICP course but I have spoken to various people these past weeks & no-one has ever mentioned it. I get the impression it would look favourable if she did it, but it is not compulsory. Personally I think first aid is more important, and may also suggest she does local safeguarding but I dont believe the ICP to be necessary.
Anyone looking for an assistant, good luck, it seems time consuming at times but we got there in the end - fingers crossed we get some more enquiries now!
Liz x
p.s sorry for the long post!