Independent childminders will need to buy their own insurance and might wish to join a membership organisation.
There are a number of different options currently available (prices correct 06.2013) -
Morton Michel - 0845 257 0117
Morton Michel are the oldest childcare insurance company in the UK. They offer a range of free extra benefits for childminders via their Childcare Club.
= Total cost of insurance and free membership of the Childcare Club - £45.00 / year
Pacey - 0845 880 0044
Pacey (formerly NCMA) are a membership organisation which also offers an insurance package and some extra member benefits.
You must be a member of Pacey to buy their insurance.
= Total cost of membership and insurance - £92 / year OR membership without insurance - £70 / year
Pre-school learning alliance - 0207 697 2595
PLA are a new childminder membership organisation which also offers insurance as part of the membership package. You can buy membership and insurance OR, if you are currently insured elsewhere, you can buy membership.
Cost of membership - £42 / year
Cost of insurance if bought with membership - £29.25 / year
= Total cost of membership plus insurance - £71.25 / year
UKCMA - see website for contact information
UKCMA are a relatively new childminder membership organisation. They recommend Morton Michel as their preferred insurance company.
Annual membership - £59.99 or £6.99 / month (see website for special introductory offer)
= Total cost of membership AND insurance with Morton Michel - £104.99 / year
******* (Independent Childminders Social Enterprise) - 0330 440 9898
******* are a relatively new trade association for independent childminders, registered with the CBI trade association forum.
They offer a membership plus insurance package. I cannot find a membership only offer on the website - I will update this information if advised.
= Total cost of membership including insurance - £96 / year or £9 x 12 monthly payments
As you can see, there are a lot of options available for independent childminders
I strongly advise all childminders who wish to remain independent to carefully consider your membership and / or insurance choices and to make sure the membership and / or insurance package you choose is suitable for your needs.
This means contacting the membership organisations and asking them questions!
- What do I get for my membership fee?
- What have you done so far to protect my independence?
- Do you have a place where I can talk to other members and ask questions?
- Do you offer training / books / paperwork?
- How quickly will you get back to me if I have a problem or question?
- How will you support me to retain my independence in the future?
This also means asking questions about the various insurance packages before buying the one that best suits your needs -
- What exactly is covered? For example, is my assistant / trampoline / self-built climbing frame covered?
- Am I covered for buggies / cameras etc that I take off the premises / parents buggies if they leave them with me during the day?
- Do I get legal expenses cover and access to free help lines?
- Do you sell documentation? Do I have to buy and use your documentation to be fully covered by my insurance? And if I do, how much does it cost?
- How will you support me if a parent does not pay me?
- Do you offer a discount if I buy other insurance through you?
Think about what is important to you at the moment when you buy insurance - will you be getting the same level of cover / service if you decide to switch company?
Of course, you can buy insurance on its own from Morton Michel - you do not need to belong to a membership organisation!
I hope you find the above useful... please feel free to discuss the available options and add further relevant information
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