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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Childminders, a question please

34 replies

EnglishGirlApproximately · 06/11/2012 10:44

I'm visiting childminders this week ready for my return to work and one if them has emailed to ask if I get tax credits. I replied that I've never claimed them before but as I'm going part time I may be eligible and that I planned to phone about it this week. The CM replied that she would let me know her fees when I knew as she charges different amounts. Her reason being that its not fair on families who don't get help to charge the same as families who do.

I'm intepreting this to mean that if I claim tax credits I will be charged more for childcare. Is this standard practice? It seems a bit odd to me to have two sets if fees and surely defeats the object of tax credits?
Thanks.

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YourHandInMyHand · 06/11/2012 11:59

Hmm I don't like that! The whole point of people receiving the childcare element of TCs is that they are working but on a low income, so they get help wih the childcare costs to enable them to be left with a living wage. He wanting to charge more in this situation seems very unethical! Hmm

When I child minded the only families I had who got childcare element were single parents on NMW working PT. They got 70% of their childcare costs paid through the childcare element of TCs, and rightly so, they wouldn't have been able to afford childcare otherwise and I'd never have considered charging them MORE due to them being in this situation. Appalling!

Original poster
EnglishGirlApproximately · 06/11/2012 11:09

Weaning = sending. Fat fingers!

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Original poster
EnglishGirlApproximately · 06/11/2012 11:08

I'm glad its not just me that finds this strange. I'm seeing 4 CM's and the others have just given me their fees. I think she's charging more for those who do get tax credits as she knows they don't gave to find all of the money themselves.

I'm seeing her tomorrow so will question it then but I wanted to make sure its not standard practice before I do. She looks great on paper but if that's what she's doing I won't be weaning Ds there. I don't like the idea of a cm making a value judgement based on income.

OP posts:
YourHandInMyHand · 06/11/2012 11:02

Strange. I used to child mind and charged everyone the same.

Did she mean she charges people she perceives as being better off more than those who are eligible for tax credits? Either way I've never heard of this before.

MaryPoppinsBag · 06/11/2012 10:57

Sounds strange.
I charge one price for everyone.

SarkyWench · 06/11/2012 10:57

maybe she means childcare vouchers?
I have heard of CMs charging more with them.

Flisspaps · 06/11/2012 10:56

It has nothing to do with her (and I'm a CM).

She shouldn't be charging you more so it's 'fair' in her eyes, WTAF does she think Tax Credits are for?!

SarkyWench · 06/11/2012 10:56

bizarre.

catkind · 06/11/2012 10:53

That sounds dodgy to me. Surely it can't be legal to charge more for a service just because someone's on benefits?? (No legal knowledge, just sounds odd.)