I am going to disagree about the role of insurance ... as much as I hate it it does protect BOTH parties .... if something happens in your home and a child is seriuosly injured while in your care proper insurance will ensure that YOU are not out of pocket any expenses they need covered as a result of the injury ... for them your liability insurance not only covers the child's extra medical costs but the lost income and so forth of a parent to be home caring for them as they recover and all the other outcomes an accident can have ... having insurance or not does not prevent them from suing either way the difference being is your insurance paying them or are you remortgaging your house and having wages garnisheed???

I provided proof of insurance in my portfolio - just easier IMO the police check, first aid and all those other checklist type things are in there so I never get asked for them and half time noone even really LOOKS at them ? I have only had one client ever call my references as well????