Using a close relation as a childminder

ekkygirl

I think from the provided link that they only need to be looking after other children if they are in Wales or NI maybe different rules. Thats how it reads to me. I could be wrong tho!

Stu666

ekkygirl wrote: »

I think from the provided link that they only need to be looking after other children if they are in Wales or NI maybe different rules. Thats how it reads to me. I could be wrong tho!

That is precisely what I am trying to point out. Would be interesting to hear from somebody who actually does it, rather than going off anecdotal evidence and IIRCs etc.

DX2

Stu666 wrote: »

That is precisely what I am trying to point out. Would be interesting to hear from somebody who actually does it, rather than going off anecdotal evidence and IIRCs etc.

Is there a problem with the tax credits helpline? You know where you would get the correct answer you require, rather than people wasting their time trying to help you.

DX2

Childcare provided by relatives can be qualifying childcare if

all the following circumstances apply:

• the relative is a registered or approved childcare provider

• the care is provided away from the child's own home
• the care is provided to non-related children in addition to the
related child or children.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/ir115.pdf

bestpud

Stu666 wrote: »

That is precisely what I am trying to point out. Would be interesting to hear from somebody who actually does it, rather than going off anecdotal evidence and IIRCs etc.

This is an open forum and the people replying may or may not know the answer.

Even if someone comes on and tells you they do this, how will you know they aren't telling you what you want to hear, or whether they have fiddled something along the way?

If you want to know for sure, you need to check with the relevent agencies.

Stu666

bestpud/dx2, sorry if I caused any offence, that was not my intention.

Besides, ringing HMRC is easier said than done when you have a hearing disability.

G51shopaholic

To claim Tax Credit for childcare the person providing the care MUST be a registered childminder, they must be suitable qualified, have background checks done, have their house assessed for safety (one of our neighbours is a registered childminder). It takes several months to complete the process for qualified childminders and she had to have a completely seperate area in her house which is used ONLY for the business.

So the quick answer to your question is

If the person looks after your child in your home - NO TAX CREDITS PAYABLE
If the person looks after your child in their home - NO TAX CREDITS PAYABLE UNLESS THEY ARE REGISTERED/QUALIFIED CHILDMINDER

My neighbour looks after children for staff at the nearby hospital as they closed the large nursery that was provided for NHS staff.

melbi_uk

Your relative would have to register as a childminder and with OFSTED. To do that your relative will have her home checked and advised of the changes she/he will need to make to get on the register. They will then have to provide satisfactory proof that the children in her care are going to be provided with a stimulating environment. They will have to buy toys that: suitable for girls and boys; different age groups from birth to school age; toys that promote equal opportunities; black dolls/white dolls; toys that promote awareness of disabilities, I could go on.

Your relative would have to keep running records of the childrens' progress, records of menus; records of earnings etc.

OFSTED will make routine visits to their home and pass them as unsatisfactory/satisfactory/good/excellent or outstanding. This information will then be made public on OFSTEDS website.

For more information you could visit: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/About-us/How-we-inspect/Childminders

It can be very expensive to start up as a childminder, your relative will have to be police checked, pay for all the registration fees, even have to pay to be inspected.

nannytone_2

are you thinking of your relative or of your child?
surely if the child is happy in nursery ( which i assume they are, otherwise you wouldnt leave them there) why would you take the child from a well stocked (with toys,equiptment) nursery, where the child is socialising with it's peer group, to leave it at home, alone with a relative?

surely as the child gets older and nears school age, the more comfortable and socialised they are, the better!

melbi_uk

nannytone wrote: »

are you thinking of your relative or of your child?
surely if the child is happy in nursery ( which i assume they are, otherwise you wouldnt leave them there) why would you take the child from a well stocked (with toys,equiptment) nursery, where the child is socialising with it's peer group, to leave it at home, alone with a relative?

surely as the child gets older and nears school age, the more comfortable and socialised they are, the better!

My mum used to look after my granddaughter, but it soon became obvious that a nursery would benefit her the best.

We were right and she has over come a lot of toddler problems, she will share her toys now, she doesn't push or try to hurt other children, she has developed into a person of her own right and not that of permanent
contact with adults only.

She has things to talk about with her mum at the end of the day and will ask mum about her day at work.

She will tell us about her friends, what they say etc.

In fact, it is quite funny listening to her talk about her day and her friends.

My eldest daughter started going to nursery aged 2 despite me being at home. Health visitor said she needed more stimulation and to mix with children of her age. The tantrums stopped in weeks even though she only attended for 2 mornings a week. My youngest daughter went to school nursery (unofficially) at the age of 2 as I started back at work at the school part time. She too benefited from spending time with her peers.

Like you say, the child must be happy in her nursery otherwise mum would have removed her.
However, at the end of the day it is up to the parent s to what they see fit for their child/ren.