[Solved] Review of babysitting ban ordered

I think this is just crazy.
I just seen the details of the Childcare act (for the first time today) and would guess over a year my wife and i look after our friends 4 children for over 14 days a year and they do the same for us. We are not Childminders,we are just doing our close friends a favour.

According to the Childcare Act, carers who are not a close family member also do not have to register if:

The childcare takes place in the parents' home
or it only takes place between 1800 and 0200
or the childcare takes place fewer than two hours a day, or 14 days a year.

I think at times agencies such as OFSTED should look at the spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law.

Should have said the link to the Childminder or Babysitter is here :

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8278189.stm

Hi Fish

I think the whole situation is wrong when friends are unable to look after each others children during the day without worrying about how many hours a year they have already completed or if the favour returned is a reward or not.

Though to be fair someone actually complained to OFSTED about the officer illegally childminding. Does beg the question who complained, and how were they aware of the Childcare act 2006, personally i wasn't until i read about this case.

I think most people will find that OFSTED only get involved if someone actually complains however i do think in cases like this where its an agreement between two friends that they should be exempt. Childcare is an expensive necessity for some (if not most) familys and in todays world we are not all surrounded by family who can help out - so if a friend is able to help out and you are able to help them on a regular basis it should be permitted and there is no need for it to be regulated or controlled by some govenment department.

Love to hear if any other dads have an opinion or have a similar arrangement with friends.

Glad I'm not the only one to notice the stupidity of government decisions... I have to admit that I would not normally call for people's resignation - but the practical outcome of this legistaion is clearly ruining peoples lives, careers, and tax paryers money.

Nice article in the Times, and the situation is topped of by them talking about legislation like this undermining the whole parents / respect issues http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/6231866/Adults-must-register-with-Ofsted-to-look-after-children.html .

Somebody worked out that if OFSTED are serious there could be 11 million people needing vetting.... 😕

If you are feeling like "mr. angry" 👿 you can sign a number 10 petition: epetitions@aubyn.co.uk

The problem is that is there was a similar case where a child was harmed, and Ofsted knew about it but had taken no action, there would be a public outcry. Ofsted don't have the luxury of being able to go with the spirit of the law, rather than the letter of the law - only judges have that option, and even then only by some clever dexterity. If the law is wrong (and IMO, it is clearly lacking in this case) then the law needs to be changed, or some guidelines issued - and hopefully, as a result of this publicity, it will be.

Whether it would go to court is a different matter - the CPS do have the option not to proceed with a case on the basis of public interest, I believe.