Childminding between friends

Examples of childcare arrangements between friends

Example one
If you look after your friend’s children and, in return, your friend looks after your children and no cash exchanges hands, you do not need to register as a childminder, as this counts as reciprocal care between friends where no goods and services and no money or money’s worth exchanges hands.

Example two
You care for two of your friend’s children and she gives you a gift of £100. You must register as a childminder as cash has exchanged hands.

Example three
You care for a friend’s child and in return she gives you £20 a month to help with food and electricity. You must register as a childminder as cash has exchanged hands.

Example four
You provide care for a friend’s child and in return receive grocery vouchers for a local supermarket. You must register as a childminder as you have been paid with vouchers and these count as money’s worth.

Example five
You care for two of your friend’s children and in return your friend does the gardening for you. You do not need to register as a childminder as this counts as goods and services and no money or money’s worth exchanges hands. However, if you provided childminding for someone who is not a friend and they do your gardening for you then you must register as a childminder, as this counts as reward.