Ofsted row leaves business start up questioning rules

The recent row between Ofsted and childcare sharing policewomen has been rocking arrangements across the UK.

When it was discovered by Ofsted that two mothers with children of the same age decided to share childcare between them, they were informed they must register as childminders and abide by rules and structures that childminders must follow.

Ofsted ruled state that if two non-related people provide more than two hours childcare for children under eight, then reciprocate the favour adding up to ‘reward’ then the people must officially register.

Tej Gawera, founder of LetsShare.com, a business enabling parents in their local are to share childcare believed that logically should parents give and receive equal childcare with no financial gain, it should cancel each other out.

Not so as Tej was to find out. He said: “When we first had the idea for this website, we didn’t realise, this rule restricting the amount of  childcare sharing existed. When we did find out about it, our feelings and thoughts were exactly the same as many parents are expressing now.”

“For example if I gave you £10, and the next day you gave it back to me – would that be a reward, I don’t think so”.

After consultation with Ofsted, Tej was asked to state the rules and their
exceptions in its terms and conditions.

Current Ofsted Rules:

These rules only apply to children under 8 years old. If you provide
childcare for someone who is not related to you for more than 2 hours, for  reward, then you are required to register with Ofsted, and comply with the all the necessary regulation required of being a registered childminder.

The exceptions to this rule are:

1.If you provide your childcare at the home of the child  you are sharing with, then Ofsted registration is not required, and there are no restrictions.

2.If you provide no more than 14 days of childcare per year from a specific address. (This equates to nearly 3 weeks if you are looking at weekday childcare).

3.If you provide childcare between the hours of 6pm to 2am.