Who pays what for childcare

rambo29

My ex gf has got herself a part time job on a friday and saturday. I have my daughter all day saturday so that isnt a problem but she has said we will need childcare on a friday as there is no one else to look after her. Ive told my ex i will pay half of costs yet she thinks that I should be paying the lot. I already pay her more child support than recommended off the csa yet she still not happy.
Who should pay what or does what I have offered seem fair.

shegirl

What you've offered is very reasonable and she should be happy that you're willing to do such a thing

You may get replies telling you not to pay a penny etc but if you're happy to pay towards it good on you!Sharing such things after a split is great.

I'd stick with the half though.

The only thing to bare in mind is,if she is only working the two days and it's less than 16 hours then she may not be any better off (possibly worse off with childcare expenses) hence her requesting you to pay it all-that's her choice to be in that position though and it doesn't mean you should foot the bill.

If it totals 16 hours or more find out if she'll be claiming the childcare element of tax credits!

rambo29

She says it will be 17hrs but that claiming anything has changed to more than 24hrs

animalhouse

Half seems very fair to me.

kingfisherblue

rambo29 wrote: »

She says it will be 17hrs but that claiming anything has changed to more than 24hrs

I think it has changed to 24 hours for couples, but remains at 16 hours for single parents. Someone will correst me if I'm wrong though. You might want to post the question about hours and tax credits/childcare on the benefits board.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

It benefits your child. Now, and perhaps in the future, if mum gets a better paying job on the basis of the experience from this one.

Would it hurt to pay for the childcare, when it could lead to a better life for her?


I'm not having a go at you, just asking if you'd thought of it that way?

Spendless

rambo29 wrote: »

She says it will be 17hrs but that claiming anything has changed to more than 24hrs

Does she have a partner she lives with? If she does, then in order to claim working tax credits they both need to work 24 hrs between them (with 1 working at least 16) and they would both have to work at least 16 hrs per week for help with childcare costs. If she's a lone parent she can receive working tax credits and help with childcare if she works at least 16 hrs.

rambo29

She lives with her mam as a single parent.

lolavix

I think you're being more than fair, I definitely wouldn't offer more than half

tattycath

I think you're being more than fair.

kilasuit

A suggestion

Is the total childcare more or less that what you are already paying + the half you have offered?

If its more but by not alot could you not request for the bill for childcare and suggest that as your new agreement?