assistant or not????

[marnieb]

Hi all,

Need to pick your brains.

I'm currently full on a wednesday, 1 space mon/tues/thurs, 2 spaces on friday.

I have a lady coming on Friday to sign contracts etc, her son will be coming weds/thurs/fri. (but dont worry not on a weds for the first month until I can hopefully get my variation!!!!!)

Had a call this am from a lady whose coming tomorrow, she's looking for care on a mon/tues/weds.

I'm sure I have a snowballs chance in h*ll to get a variation to have 2 more under 5's on a weds, which would bring my total upto 5 including my dd.

BUT - if I got an assistant for that day, would it be allowed??

And where would I get one - advertise locally, ask at the nursery if any of their girls would help me (the bonus with that being they'll already be 1st aid & crb checked....)

The only other alternative is that I ask a mindee's mum if they could swap to a friday, which would mean I'd only need a variation for 1 more child on a Wednesday. Have you ever asked a mindee to swap days?? It's the mum I get on really well with, but tbh not sure how she'd respond!

HELP!!!!!!

[blue bear]

I have asked parents to swap, they can only give you one of two answers so it's worth asking,

[Baildon bears]

You could ask mindee to swop I have just done so, would you get a variation for new business not sure I thought it was for continuity of care. Could you just not refer the work to another Childminder? Sorry I hVe no idea about an assistant.

[rickysmiths]

I wouldn't have thought with all the commitments of being an employer it would be worth it for one day. Sure there are others who will be able to advise better though.

[ladybug]

Hi ya, I had this dilema and ended up taking on an assis, one of the best things I have done! she is fab, few issues at first but more housekeeping than anything else, the kids love her and parents to do, maybe I got lucky!!!

[mufftie]

i have several of my friends and family as assistants , and they work on an as and when basis , have you not got a friend who's at a loose end on wednesdays