Au Pair & Tax Free Childcare

KH_45231

I am thinking of getting an Au Pair. Can I set her up / she set herself up, so I can pay her through my Tax Free Childcare account? I am a full-time working, single parent and desperately need the childcare flexibility an Au Pair can bring but, financially, a 20% discount would be a lifesaver.

If this is possible, How would I go about setting her up? All I can see on the Tax Free Childcare site is for nurseries, nannies and registered childminders, and Au Pair’s aren’t mentioned.

Thank you!

unforeseen

As an au pair by definition is a foreign worker and to use the tax free childcare the person needs to be a registered child minder. The sticking point could be getting an enhanced CRB check, which will be needed. 

KH_45231

Thanks. I read the following on MSE so I got my hopes up...

“Tax-Free Childcare covers your usual range of registered providers, such as:

• Breakfast clubs
• Childminders
• Nurseries
• Playgroups
• Nannies
• Au-pairs”

BAFE

au pairs aren't supposed to have sole charge of children - i think its a nanny you need.

unforeseen

Au pairs are parents helpers not child minders

Icequeen1

I don't think the MSE website is correct - an au pair would need to be registered with the appropriate body, in the same way a nanny needs to be if you want to pay them through the scheme. 

sheramber

your   Au Pair would need to be registered with offsted,
Here is what is required  https://www.smartaupairs.com/blog/how-to-register-your-au-pair-with-ofsted