ChildMinder
Frequently Asked Questions
How many children am I covered for?
You will be covered for a maximum of 10 children when working alone, or 15 when working with another registered childminder. The number of children minded under 8 years of age must be in accordance with your registered numbers (under 12 years of age if in Scotland).
Am I covered for children aged over 8 years?
Yes, the ChildMinder policy will allow you, as a registered childminder, to mind children aged 0-15 years.
Am I covered to take the children on outings?
Yes, the ChildMinder policy will cover you anywhere in the UK – whilst carrying out your childminding activities.
Is my assistant covered by this insurance?
Yes, the ChildMinder policy gives automatic cover for registered or approved helpers to assist you, if they are stated on your registration certificate. Provided that you have written permission from Ofsted or other registering authority, we also cover them for sole charge care for short periods of time.
Am I covered to take in a work experience student?
Yes, the ChildMinder policy covers you to take in work experience students. Work experience students cannot be left in sole charge of your minded children.
Am I covered if one of my own children injures one of my minded children?
Your ChildMinder policy will cover your legal liability for this eventuality, as long as the children are under your supervision at the time of injury.
Am I covered for using a trampoline in my garden?
Yes, in accordance with policy conditions.
Will I receive a policy document telling me exactly what I’m covered for?
Yes. When you take out a ChildMinder policy with Morton Michel you will receive a Schedule of Insurance detailing your cover limits and a policy booklet detailing all the policy cover and conditions so you can refer to them at any time. This gives you the peace of mind of knowing exactly what you are covered for.
Am I covered if I provide babysitting Services?
Yes, you are covered to mind up to six children in their own home at any one time, providing you comply with the following policy conditions:
- you must have a note of the parent’s contact details
- you must visit the home(s) where you are to babysit beforehand, identify any associated risks, advise the parent of any such risks in writing and take/recommend any appropriate action;
- you must obtain the medical details and permissions for emergency treatment in respect of each child to be looked after;
- you must obtain the parent’s signature confirming the above information.
Am I covered if I work in a crèche?
We are able to provide you with cover whilst working as a childminder in a crèche, provided that you have advised us of this and we have agreed to this in writing. You will also need to comply with the following policy conditions:
- you must be working on a self-employed basis;
- you must not work at the crèche for more than two hours per day;
- the children you mind as a registered childminder must not be with you whilst you are working in the crèche;
- you must have been asked to carry out this work by an authorised representative of a local authority, Sure Start or children’s centre;
- the adult to child supervision ratio at the crèche must be at least one adult to six children and must comply with any restrictions stated in Ofsted’s or other registering authority’s guidelines.
Am I covered for taking minded children in my car?
Your ChildMinder policy will not cover you for using your car in connection with your childminding business. You will need to check with your current motor insurers to arrange adequate cover. Our motor policy is specially designed to cover you in connection with your childminding business. If you would like a quotation please call freephone 0800 975 4898.
So what is contingent motor liability then?
Contingency motor liability does not replace your ordinary motor insurance and it does not cover the motor vehicle or its contents. It provides cover if you use someone else’s vehicle (with their permission) on childminding business and a motor accident occurs for which you are legally responsible, but the vehicle owner does not have the necessary business cover in place. However, you must take all reasonable precautions to ensure that any vehicle used has appropriate motor insurance.
What happens if I have to replace damaged property?
Unlike some other insurance companies, you are covered under the Public Liability section of the policy up to the limit of £5,000,000 for any one occurrence if you are legally liable for the damage and it occurred in connection with your childminding activities.
Even if the damage to someone else’s property was not your legal responsibility, you are still covered under the Property section of this policy, for costs and expenses incurred with the Company’s consent, up to £1,000 for any one occurrence.
Is my own property insured?
No. Property belonging to you and your household should be covered under a household insurance. If you would like us to provide a quotation for your household insurance, please call freephone 0800 975 4898.
Supposing a child has an accident during the period of my insurance policy but does not bring a claim against me until months or years later, when I no longer have a policy in force?
By law, a claim can be brought against a childminder up to a child’s 21st birthday – long after they have left your care. Our insurance will cover you if you had a policy in place at the time of the accident and are legally liable for the accident. Some other companies only offer policies that cover you during the time that you are paying for the insurance so, as soon as you stop paying, so does the cover. However, any incident that could result in a claim being made should be reported to Morton Michel.
Does Morton Michel provide business stationery – such as contracts and child record forms?
Yes. Morton Michel offers a complete range of top quality products to support your business needs at very competitive prices. Each item can be purchased individually or as the complete Easymind package. Many childminders who qualify for a start up grant use part of their grant to take out the Easymind package. Ask your Early Years department if you are able to do this in your area. If your local Early Years department does not offer Eastmind as part of the start up grant, let us know and we’ll contact them for you.
Market leaders in childcare insurance for over 40 years
Friendly family firm, not big, faceless corporation
No call centres!
Access to the Child Care Club.
"I have been dealing with you for a very long time and have always been very happy. Children are not just a number they are people. Thank you."
L Waldron, Sheffield.
