EU citizen - mother, JSA?

beatrice75

paddedjohn wrote: »

Does she have the relevant qualifications to do nannying? Who would she be able to get babysitting work with? I don't think anyone would leave their kid with a stranger who has just arrived in the country. She may be better trying to find some shop work that fits around your shifts.

She looked part-time after a child up until several months ago, for almost 3 years (while working part time as an accountant, that's what she did until she retired last year). Other than our native language she's fluent in both English and French so perhaps that'll also help.

Re babysitting, I was thinking word of mouth and advertising in the local community. I know mums at school who are desperate for a good and reliable nanny and some of them even know her (she was here in January for a month for a month right after I broke up with my ex).

beatrice75

FBaby wrote: »

Are you sure it will be cheaper? Factor in additional fuel for many months because she is at home all day, losing your 25% council tax benefit against what it would cost for after school club using the vouchers? I would be surprised if it is, but then I get from your message that it's more about the company and flexibility of having your mum over (which as a previous full time working single parent of two children I can totally understand).

After school club is almost £500 a month (4 hrs a day at £6/hr). Plus school holidays, inset days, evening babysitting etc.

Council tax discount for single occupancy is £30/month. I'll also be losing the tax relief from childcare vouchers which is about £900/year (I'm getting those now). And yes there will be some extra fuel and food costs... but we tend to cook a lot and don't eat out so I'm not concerned with that. We'll also be doing packed school lunches instead of school meals, so another small gain there (and better food for my child).

I won't ask my mum to contribute to household bills - so she'll have her pension for clothing, entertainment, some light travel.

So yes in some sense it's a lifestyle choice - my child will be looked after by family, will eat good food, I get some breaks from being 24-hr on mum duty, my mum gets to be close to her grandchild and me - but it will also be cheaper even with no extra work and no benefits for my mum. On the benefits thing, it actually didn't even crossed my mind until a CAB person mentioned it on the phone several months ago (I called to seek advice re ex who's evaded his father resposibilities completely - that's a whole other story..)

neverdespairgirl

paddedjohn wrote: »

Does she have the relevant qualifications to do nannying? Who would she be able to get babysitting work with? I don't think anyone would leave their kid with a stranger who has just arrived in the country. She may be better trying to find some shop work that fits around your shifts.

You don't need much in the way of qualifications to be a nanny, necessarily. Some have them, lots don't. Agencies will take people newly arrived in the country if they speak English, have a CRB check here, the equivalent from their own country, and usually want a child first aid course certificate, too (which doesn't take long).

baza52

would it be easier to move back to the EU country your mum lives in and move in with her there?

FBaby

You mean giving up a good job to find out there is nothing there for her at home and she can't apply for any JSA before she passes the equivalent test?

Ellejmorgan

the after school club is very expensive, the one at my daughters school charges £6.50 from 3.15 to 5.30 there must be cheaper options than your provider...

princessdon

Ellejmorgan wrote: »

the after school club is very expensive, the one at my daughters school charges £6.50 from 3.15 to 5.30 there must be cheaper options than your provider...

In London? I live in the north and pay now from April £16.20 from 3.15 to 5pm per child!

tomtom256

Can she not still keep her pension and use that to top you up?

Our state pension can be claimed if you live outside of UK but within EU or is that not an option?

princessdon

I totally understand why you want your mum with you, working full time (especially in a job that precludes CTC) means that you will have a lot of stress and need some help, especially when bubba is young. It gets easier when they get older though.

But I can't see JSA being the way forward. For one they will remove her pension and therefore she'd only get the residual amount from £71 pw and then there is the HRT.

Personally I'd look at registering her with agencies. Pet Walking, Babysitting, Language skills and book keeping etc.

Use Self Employment for her income, soon she may even be able to claim WTC if low income and over 30 hours.

For JSA she'd need to be available for all work (childcare isn't a reason for none job search for her). She'd have to take ANY job they think she should apply for and succeeds and face sanctions. Is it worth it for a few pounds a week (after her pension).

Has she considered something like this if bi lingual. My children go to a friends one day a week for language lessons. They have gone since reception (same age as bubba). This is because I want them to learn French and because it is cheaper than out of schools. (plus the bonus for me is they stay until I finish work).

She picks up from school mine and other kids (up to 6) and walks them the short journey to her house and they do a 45 minute French class. She charges £10 a session. After Schools club is more.

It's very popular and she now does this 4 nights a week (differing abilities). Started with basic French to the class my eldest does which is GCSE standard (my eldest is 11, but she's been going to classes for 6 years now).

For parents like myself you get "cheaper" afterschool and they learn a language too, bargain! Just something to consider.

I wish you well and hope it all works out and that you get to bring over your family support.

Ellejmorgan

princessdon wrote: »

In London? I live in the north and pay now from April £16.20 from 3.15 to 5pm per child!

wow, I'm on the London/ Essex border.. that's so expensive...