Hello!

My mummy friend is returning to work part time and is looking for someone to look after her baby. I am at home with my baby and thought that I could probably help her out, however I’m not sure of my legal responsibilities etc. I know that daycare mums would probably have some sort of insurance etc to cover themselves if something unforeseen was to happen to a child in their care. Is it too risky for me to look after someone else’s child without some sort of legal security? Have any other mums looked after someone else’s child and have any advice for me if I was to do so?

Posted by anon, 15/7/13

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  • I looked after a friends baby while she worked for a small sum of money. I ended up getting clucky and had another baby myself. Lol


  • I would certainly look into the legal implications.


  • What did you end up deciding?


  • One day you could offer. Then youre helping but not iverwhelmed. Mixing business and friendships dont work! Saying is for a reason. Whats if their baby gets really sick. do you mind still looking after them
    or ringing mum atwork to say pick bub up. Whats if youre sick and have to cancel. Whats if mum picks
    on your care? These are things yhat can arise


  • I used to look after a friends baby while she worked. We had no legal documents drawn up. It was basically one mum friend helping out another mum friend. Or regular play dates if you like


  • I would say its fine, no different to baby sitting


  • I look after a friend of mines child and to be honest when I offered to have her daughter I never ever thought of issues arising and the legal ramifications…..which is probably a bit poor and naive on my behalf, but I am doing it as a favour to a friend who was going back to full-time work. I guess it’s just a matter of trust between us that I am doing the best for her child (and my own) and wouldn’t neglect her. She looks after my kids sometimes so it’s just a reciprocated trust.


  • There are too many things to think about these days. I like to think that I would look after my friends kids if they need me to. But saying that I don’t know if I could do it.


  • I wouldn’t good luck to you hope it doesn’t wreck the friendship


  • I wouldn’t, as nice as it is to offer I just wouldn’t want to be held responsible air know I was the reason if something like aids happened etc.


  • thats very generous of you to offer. I don’t think you need insurance


  • This is an old post but just in case anyone else wants to know, here is the link to registered childcare (that includes grandparents, friends) quite interesting regarding this issue: If it was me, I’d have a chat to Human Services, too risky these days without the proper insurances and registration.

    http://www.mychild.gov.au/pages/CCregistered.aspx


  • I am a little sad that this is even an issue in our culture today, I guess the easiest thing to do is to get a solicitor to draw up a disclosure that your friend can sign stating in the even of any accident she will not take legal action. It take a community to raise a baby and trust to build a community.


  • hope you got your decision


  • what have you decided to do?


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