WTC childcare - low hrs, high wage or variable hours

Loopy_Girl

Floxxie wrote: »

There is no requirement that the childcare has to reflect the hours that you work. An example given is someone who works nights can put their child into childcare during the day.

Yes but they are working the hours albeit during the night.

It's a different matter if a claimant has told the TCO that they work 16 hours a week but are claiming childcare costs for a 40 hour week - of course it should be looked at.

The provision of childcare element is to help you work - not to be a potential unpaid babysitter (not that I am accusing you of this OP - before you go off on one again!!;)).

As mentioned I did read a case on here some time ago of a claimaint who did have her claim looked at (as her childcare costs were astronomical in comparison to her declared hours) and they stopped paying her the money to 'keep the place open' and made her payback what had already been paid out.

flossie66

I was in similar situation only wasnt getting that much per hour. i worked part time and most nurseries would only take child on full time basis regardless of what i worked. i eventually found a very nice childminder that was willing to be fairly flexible although do struggle if work late as she does till 6pm. also have u looked into whether the job may come with some kind of child care vouchers as that is done via wages not hours.

lauzellen

The nature of the work is not so it can necessarily be set days - different industries, different situations. I shall have to see when I find out more information on Thursday.

Childcare may well be paid through my tax credits but I can assure you I would be getting a lot more in benefits when not working than if I were working due to the high hourly rate. A childminder will not be flexible enough for it to be different days of the week all the time - they have a set number of places and are not going to limit their potential earnings.

I have no interest in avon etc but maybe some form of own business is possible in tutoring or similar.. a good suggestion OP, thank you.

Vouchers may be possible if the employer enable it to make up the difference between the 3 day week and required 5 days due to different working days. It's all speculation at the moment - my worries may be unfounded come Friday.

Sixer

lauzellen wrote: »

I have no interest in avon etc but maybe some form of own business is possible in tutoring or similar.. a good suggestion OP, thank you.

What about some sort of website (standard website, blog, wiki) offering learning materials, tutoring advice, etc etc? The profit, which would be very small, would come from advertising and affiliate commissions. If you're in education, perhaps an Amazon affiliate account could prove profitable for something like that?

Presumably, you could put in the right number of hours vis a vis tax credits at your own convenience, actually be interested in what you're doing, and make a small profit to boot?

Orville

Floxxie wrote: »

There is no requirement that the childcare has to reflect the hours that you work. An example given is someone who works nights can put their child into childcare during the day.

That is what we did, my ex worked days and i worked nights.

lauzellen

Thanks for the suggestions - I shall be given a 20hr contract of 3 set fixed days with my own classes in one location and cover work if i so wish it the other days so it seems my worries were indeed unfounded. It was good to know where I would stand however and suggestions on how to manage the situation.

Loopy_Girl

Fantastic L...well done on getting the job and I am glad you won't have to worry about covering childcare

Good luck:D