CM club: parent wants letter saying I care for her children when needed....

[Alliwantisaroomsomewhere]

... so that she can get funding from her college. But I have had them once when she was in class and now a friend of hers looks after them.

I have provided after school care for which the parent applied for tax credits assistance.

I feel uncomfortable putting in writing that I care for the children while she is in class when that is not the case. Am I being precious? Should I help her with this? What would you do?

Really don't feel comfortable but I am not really sure how to handle it.

No. She would be committing fraud and you would be helping her with it!

No No No No No!!!. My taxes will be paying for her to steal money. NO NO NO. Why should she get fraudulent money she's not entitled to. Personally, I'd ring tax credits and tell them how much she pays at the moment. if she's that dishonest, she's probably claiming more already.
Also, if tax credits and Inland rEVENUE GET TOGETER, ACCORDING TO TAX CREDITS YOU WOULD BE EARNING MORE MONEY THAN YOU'RE DECLARING AND WOULD BE COMITTING TAX FRAUD ( ACCORDING TO THEM)

Ha! Yes, I see. Definitely not being precious then. I did not feel right about it and now I can justify it.

Thanks.

Tell her you can write the letter but you can only confirm the childcare you have provided todate as you don't provide ongoing childcare or have a contract (I presume).

Definitely don't do it, my uni parents both have to fill forms in each term declaring how much they expect to spend and how much they actually spent and I have to sign each one, I'm surprised they'll just accept a letter.

Thanks for the messages. I will definitely not be giving her any letter containing false information.

I am not sure how long the current contract will last in any event because everything is so uncertain and last minute. She called me Thursday to say she may need me this week. I asked her to confirm by Sunday.... then without having heard from her she arrived at my house at 8.15am Monday with her child wanting me to take her to school .

At last year's NCMA conference, I spoke to a childminder who had a tax inspector turn up on her doorstep. Why? Because a parent had claimed that the childminder had been looking after her children (and therefore being paid) when this was not the case. Having all the necessary paperwork to prove otherwise was essential to the childminders case.

By the sounds of things (I could be wrong), in order to protect themselves from fraud, they now insist on a letter from the childminder. If you do indeed, "put in writing that I care for the children while she is in class when that is not the case" you will be aiding and abetting fraud - which is a criminal offence. You could end up with paying more tax, a large fine and a criminal offence, which in turn will ruin your career as a childminder and possible put a stop on you working with children.

I would be absolutely livid if this happened to me. The parent is being disrespectful towards you. The parent is treating you as a fool. I would politely terminate any involvement with this parent - make up some excuse, whatever.

I appreciate your input, FluyingStart! Thanks for telling me that.

I do childcare for a parent at college and to actually get paid you have to fill out forms and bank account details and the payment is made direct to you so how she will get the money to pay her friend should be interesting!!!
Just ask her to get the college to send you the forms to fill out and you will gladly supply your details direct to them.