Registering an assistant - advice
Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  7
Dislikes Dislikes:  0
Results 1 to 5 of 5
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Cheshire
    Posts
    37,504
    Registered Childminder since
    1994
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like
    Blog Entries
    21

    Default Registering an assistant - advice

    Registering an assistant

    If you are a registered childminder and you want to work with someone who acts as your assistant then there is a procedure you need to follow.

    Once you are happy that your assistant has the necessary skills and knowledge to work with you, your assistant needs to contact Ofsted to arrange a DBS (formerly CRB) check.


    Completing an EY2 form

    To do this, your assistant will need to complete an EY2 form -

    Update - from 2014 all EY2 forms are now online - Ofsted | Become a childcare provider or childminder.

    You should warn your assistant that if they have any prior convictions these will show up on the DBS check. If they have any health problems Ofsted might delay registration while they investigate further, so your assistant must be honest and up front about anything that might prevent them from registering.


    Business arrangements

    You will also need to talk about payment, contracts and terms and conditions of employment including procedures for dismissal.


    Suitability letter

    When the DBS check has come through, assuming all is well, you and your assistant will receive a letter from Ofsted confirming they are suitable to work with children.

    It is called a ‘suitability’ letter and, while the assistant can help you if they are FULLY supervised, they cannot work with children unsupervised until this letter is received - they are considered a visitor not an assistant.


    Working with parents

    Parents must give written permission to say they are happy with the assistant working with and being left alone for short periods of time with their child. You might find it useful to invite parents for a meeting with your assistant, to explain their role and responsibilities and to chat about any concerns they might have first.


    Training your assistant

    Ofsted expect you to make sure your assistant is fully briefed before they work with children. This means you should organise some induction training to cover, as a minimum, safeguarding; your daily procedures and routines; their role and responsibilities; your expectations about conduct, appropriate clothing; mobile phone, camera and social networking use; whistle blowing procedures; reading and understanding your policies and procedures etc.

    Some local authorities require Local Safeguarding Children Board approved safeguarding training for assistants but not all - however, this is recommended.

    Ongoing training is expected - you are responsible for the day-to-day supervision of your assistant and ensuring they work effectively with the children.


    Leaving your assistant alone with children

    Assistants MUST have an up-to-date 12 hour paediatric first aid certificate if they are left on their own with children. They can only be left alone with childminded children for up to 2 hours a day (this should be noted in an attendance register).

    There are some sample forms to use with your assistant in Childminding Forum free resources here -

    assistant forms


    Assistants and changes to ratios

    You MIGHT be able to make changes to your ratios once your assistant is working with you. You should check the relevant 'ratios' section of the EYFS 2012 for more information.

    You will need to be aware of space requirements in your house and risk assessments must be robust if you change the conditions of your registration to accommodate extra children.

    You can find out more information about the space requirements here -

    Space Requirements - EYFS 2012


    Notifying HMRC

    Once you are working with your assistant, you should contact HMRC to clarify what you need to do regarding payment etc.


    Further assistant requirements

    There are other requirements for assistants - you will find them in the EYFS if you search (control and ‘f’) for ‘assistant’ and ‘staff’ - but these are the most important.

    I hope this clarifies. If you have any further questions or if I have missed anything do not hesitate to ask
    Last edited by sarah707; 27-03-2014 at 02:33 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    38
    Registered Childminder since
    Jan 12
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Good
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Query - Registering an Assistant

    Quote Originally Posted by sarah707 View Post
    Registering an assistant

    If you are a registered childminder and you want to work with someone who acts as your assistant then there is a procedure you need to follow.

    Once you are happy that your assistant has the necessary skills and knowledge to work with you, your assistant needs to contact Ofsted to arrange a DBS (formerly CRB) check.


    Completing an EY2 form

    To do this, your assistant will need to complete an EY2 form -

    Update - from 2014 all EY2 forms are now online - Ofsted | Become a childcare provider or childminder.

    You should warn your assistant that if they have any prior convictions these will show up on the DBS check. If they have any health problems Ofsted might delay registration while they investigate further, so your assistant must be honest and up front about anything that might prevent them from registering.


    Business arrangements

    You will also need to talk about payment, contracts and terms and conditions of employment including procedures for dismissal.


    Suitability letter

    When the DBS check has come through, assuming all is well, you and your assistant will receive a letter from Ofsted confirming they are suitable to work with children.

    It is called a ‘suitability’ letter and, while the assistant can help you if they are FULLY supervised, they cannot work with children unsupervised until this letter is received - they are considered a visitor not an assistant.


    Working with parents

    Parents must give written permission to say they are happy with the assistant working with and being left alone for short periods of time with their child. You might find it useful to invite parents for a meeting with your assistant, to explain their role and responsibilities and to chat about any concerns they might have first.


    Training your assistant

    Ofsted expect you to make sure your assistant is fully briefed before they work with children. This means you should organise some induction training to cover, as a minimum, safeguarding; your daily procedures and routines; their role and responsibilities; your expectations about conduct, appropriate clothing; mobile phone, camera and social networking use; whistle blowing procedures; reading and understanding your policies and procedures etc.

    Some local authorities require Local Safeguarding Children Board approved safeguarding training for assistants but not all - however, this is recommended.

    Ongoing training is expected - you are responsible for the day-to-day supervision of your assistant and ensuring they work effectively with the children.


    Leaving your assistant alone with children

    Assistants MUST have an up-to-date 12 hour paediatric first aid certificate if they are left on their own with children. They can only be left alone with childminded children for up to 2 hours a day (this should be noted in an attendance register).

    There are some sample forms to use with your assistant in Childminding Forum free resources here -

    assistant forms


    Assistants and changes to ratios

    You MIGHT be able to make changes to your ratios once your assistant is working with you. You should check the relevant 'ratios' section of the EYFS 2012 for more information.

    You will need to be aware of space requirements in your house and risk assessments must be robust if you change the conditions of your registration to accommodate extra children.

    You can find out more information about the space requirements here -

    Space Requirements - EYFS 2012


    Notifying HMRC

    Once you are working with your assistant, you should contact HMRC to clarify what you need to do regarding payment etc.


    Further assistant requirements

    There are other requirements for assistants - you will find them in the EYFS if you search (control and ‘f’) for ‘assistant’ and ‘staff’ - but these are the most important.

    I hope this clarifies. If you have any further questions or if I have missed anything do not hesitate to ask


    Sarah

    Ive checked Ofsted website under the link you've sent but nothing showing Register as an Assistant or filling the EY2 Form. Should she register under the section for "Register as a childminder and would this link into the EY2 Form? She has set up her Gateway Account already.

    Thanks

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Cheshire
    Posts
    37,504
    Registered Childminder since
    1994
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like
    Blog Entries
    21

    Default

    dbs form first - that's what Ofsted are advising - then EY2 through Govt gateway

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Posts
    5
    Non childminder member
    Parent
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default unpaid assistant

    Hi, If I want to be an unpaid assistant to a childminder to do tasks like make lunch, tidy up etc and not be left with children, do nappies or anything hands on, do I have to do a first aid course or not. I am DBS checked as am her responsible person. She doesn't want to take on more children or epand in any way, just to have an extra pair of hands on the household side of things. Thanks

  5. Likes sarah707 liked this post
  6. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Cheshire
    Posts
    37,504
    Registered Childminder since
    1994
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like
    Blog Entries
    21

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Glofish View Post
    Hi, If I want to be an unpaid assistant to a childminder to do tasks like make lunch, tidy up etc and not be left with children, do nappies or anything hands on, do I have to do a first aid course or not. I am DBS checked as am her responsible person. She doesn't want to take on more children or epand in any way, just to have an extra pair of hands on the household side of things. Thanks
    An assistant needs DBS - DBS update - EY2 - Ofsted suitability letter - first aid - induction training - safeguarding training - parent permission - if they are going to be on their own with children at all, even for a minute while the childminder goes to the loo

  7. Likes lollipop kid liked this post
 

 

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Quick Links and Advertisements

Important Information Links
Some Useful Quick Links
Advertisements

 

You can also find us on:
Registering an assistant - advice Registering an assistant - advice Registering an assistant - advice

We use cookies to make this site as useful as possible. They are small text files placed in your browser to track usage of our site but they don’t tell us who you are.
By continuing to use this site you are consenting to cookies being placed on your computer. Find out more here: Cookies in Use

Childminding Help and the Childminding Forum are part of Childcare.co.uk