Using a close relation as a childminder

Marisco

DX2 wrote: »

Because tax credits won't pay for the childminder

Ah, thanks DX2. Things are a bit clearer now;)

newyear2011

My mum is a registered childminder and she childminds my kids and claim tax credits. The family member must also watch other children or be actively advertising that they have vacancies

ekkygirl

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.

Oh............

melly1980

So just another question since it is related.

I work, my wife is a registered childminder. Could I salary sacrifice for vouchers for her to look after our children. This isnt a part of a tax credit claim, I wouldnt expect to be given the childcare payments, however my work can offset a proportion of my salary to pay for childcare.

Presumably this is illegal, does anyone know?

melbi_uk

melly1980 wrote: »

So just another question since it is related.

I work, my wife is a registered childminder. Could I salary sacrifice for vouchers for her to look after our children. This isnt a part of a tax credit claim, I wouldnt expect to be given the childcare payments, however my work can offset a proportion of my salary to pay for childcare.

Presumably this is illegal, does anyone know?

I doubt it as they are your own children. Food for thought though

melbi_uk

melly1980 wrote: »

So just another question since it is related.

I work, my wife is a registered childminder. Could I salary sacrifice for vouchers for her to look after our children. This isnt a part of a tax credit claim, I wouldnt expect to be given the childcare payments, however my work can offset a proportion of my salary to pay for childcare.

Presumably this is illegal, does anyone know?

Just found this:
Childcare that is not “qualifying childcare”

“Qualifying childcare” does not include care provided by a relative of the child in the child's own home. This includes relatives who are registered or approved childcare providers. For these purposes a relative means:

* parent
* step-parent
* foster parent
* grandparent
* aunt or uncle
* brother or sister
* whether by blood, half blood, marriage or civil partnership.

Childcare provided by relatives can be qualifying childcare in the following circumstances:

* 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.

Marisco

So a grandparent would qualify for childcare, so long as the child went to their house and not the granparent going to the child's house? ?

melbi_uk

Marisco wrote: »

So a grandparent would qualify for childcare, so long as the child went to their house and not the granparent going to the child's house? ?

and is a registered childminder

Marisco

Thanks Melbi, it doesn't make that very clear though. I read it as a relative can qualify so long as the child is not at home. The * I read as being OR not AND, IYSWIM.

Sixer

Marisco wrote: »

So a grandparent would qualify for childcare, so long as the child went to their house and not the granparent going to the child's house? ?

AND is a registered childminder
AND is childminding other children, not just the grandchildren

The point of these rules is to prevent people from just paying relatives to look after children when they'd normally do bits of babysitting for free. Eg: my mother used to look after my two on Fridays because I went into the office that day. The philosophy is that families support one another where they can.

But, they don't want to prevent people who have relatives who are actually childminders by profession, from giving business to those relatives.

See?