In Feb I'm going to be starting settling in a child (2 1/2 days) for when he comes for 1 full day in Feb. Do I let Ofsted and the tax office know when I start the settling in period.

The tax office only need to register you as self employed when you start work and you have to inform them of you start date but they dont need details of the whys etc.

As long as you are registered and have your certificate and you should not be even settling in a child without these. Ofsted are not interested in your day to day commitments, all you should do is record the days in your registeer and make sure the parent signs it once a week. I have always (for 14yrs) used the NCMA ones and you can buy these even if you are not a member they just cost a bit more but of course they are tax deductable!

It is important to use the register to record the exact to the minute, times the children are with you , this is usually not quite the same as the contracted hours, I also record and holiday mine and theirs, sick days mine and theirs .

This sounds a lot but OFSTED rtegard the register as a Safeguarding Children tool hence recording the exact times and getting parents to sign.

I have never had a problem and I keep the register and a pen on my hall table, parents now ask to sign on a Friday!

Sorry to go on hope the above is helpful.


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