To think that people don't use childcare providers for the food??

[Volbeat]

UC have asked me to upload my contract with my childminders. When I first started using her, UC asked me for this information back then which was probably 3 years ago now.

Anyway they've asked me to upload it again today even though I report my childcare costs frequently.

I rang them up and asked why they are asking for it, lady says the case manager wants to see it. I said in which case its already on your system from the first time I had to upload it, can you not find it?

She had a message her end which I can't read on my journal. It says something like "if meals are optional we may wish to discontinue paying childcare costs for the recipient"

I asked what the hell? 1) they have a copy of the contract already stating meals will be provided. 2) they've never asked me this before now despite using my CM for 3 years. 3) I used my CM for a week at half term whilst I worked which cost me £400. CM includes all meals and snacks.

If meals are optional I.e. I send my children in with packed lunches etc, it will still cost me £400 for a weeks worth of childcare regardless.

Am I missing something??? Suffice to say I got very irrate and now my childcare costs are under review for reasons god only knows. I'm a lone parent too.

Their funding isn't intended to cover optional things, so they'll be checking if it's optional or not. If it's optional it would be up to you to provide.

I don't know if it is optional or isn't, my CM just provides meals as part of her service. I wouldn't for out for something I didn't need. It's a silly policy because the childcare in itself is necessary for me to work. I don't pay for the food, I pay for the care and the food is included.

I don't claim for the food is what I'm saying. I'm payng for someone to look after my kids whilst I work.

I suppose it’s like paying extra for school dinners which will only be covered in certain circumstances. Just get a letter from CM confirming that there is no discount for providing your own meals.

I agree OP, I'm a cm and I have a fixed price with includes everything. It wouldn't cost you less to send a packed lunch, my price is my price!

Then it's not optional, it's included as standard

Yes, they should already have a copy of the contract stating this so no idea why they are asking for it again. I've a good mind to ask them how and where they store my personal details if they lose them on a whim (or just can't be bothered to check)

My guess would be that with the changes in cost of living and rising costs to childcare providers who are frequently changing their terms now, especially giving how little the current government funding is stretching in terms of covering real costs, they want to have an updated copy of your contract and terms and conditions, because they expect the childminder may have recently changed them. If she hasn't, that's fine. They just need the current version that is in place to confirm that. I think that's a sensible request.

I mean I don't think they have done anything wrong asking for backup for something they fund. It seems a standard request.

If she had changed something that I would have to notify them for, I would have told them. Her contract hasn't changed

You just have tomplay the game with these things sometimes. Ask her for an email saying the price is fixed and wouldn't reduce if you provided a packed lunch. Send that to UC. It'll be grand I'm sure.

If you go back through your journal, you might find a bit that says evidence/documents deleted - this is because, once they’ve reviewed them, they get rid rather than retaining them and having to process them in accordance with GDPR requirements. Then, if they need to check something in future, they need you to upload them again.

Optional costs in childcare seems to be a big thing with UC at the moment and a lot of parents on a couple of support groups I’m on have been asked to reload their contracts etc to show whether meals are optional extras or included and undifferentiated components. So, in your case, there’s no daily charge for meals whether your child takes their own or not so there shouldn’t be a problem once they’ve reviewed the contract to them paying for the full invoice (up to the maximum 85% or maximum amount they cover anyway).

I don't see the problem with them asking.

I always sent food with my DC -

• if you've opted for her to provide meals then part of her fee is food isn't it which the tax payer shouldn't be subsidising - they're subsidising your child care not feeding your child

If you sent it 3 years ago, it seems reasonable to want to check nothings changed. While your child care doesn't, many do charge separately for meals, especially those that use funded hours.