Au pair and tax credits

[Maybee]

I'm looking for a part time teaching job 3 days per week and as a single parent I know tax credits will pay some of my childcare costs. I'm wondering about an au pair. I have 3dc aged 9, 4 and almost 3. The youngest will be in preschool so I will need them all to be dropped off in the morning and then picked up at 11.30am and 3pm 3 days a week. I should be home by 4.30. I could really do with evening babysitting and some help with housework which is why an aupair sounds like a good solution. Is this feasible with tax credits?

Tax credits will only pay for childcare that is registered with Ofsted. Many nannies register so that their employer can use tax credits or childcare vouchers, but it is unusual for an au pair to register as by the time registration comes through they are generally a long way through their stay in the UK.

Can it be done in advance before they start work? A nanny share might work as I will be part time only. I'm just not sure I'd find another family with a nanny in these parts though.

yes, the nanny can do it any time if she has all the first aid, childcare course etc ready. often its the family who pays for the registration.

An au pair coming to the UK would need to complete a common core course and a first aid cert, plus get insurance (which can be complicated for new arrivals) and have a CRB processed all of which will take time. It is possibly but as mra says it's rare purely for logistical reasons.

Once an AP had gone through all of these hoops, they'll have realised they can charge closer to nanny salaries, so you'd be unlikely to keep her even if you cold persuade to her do all the stuff required.

Hmm so a nanny then... need to get myself a jab and then I'll start looking into a nanny. v appealling that someone might help with the laundry and the cooking. :)

I would say that an au pair would possibly be a better deal even if you don't get tax credits for childcare - - do check the benifit situation as it has changed recently - and actually you might want to cost up childminder - as they would be covered with tax credits

Tax credits will not pay for an Au pair, they do not pay for any childcare within your own home, even with an ofsted registered childminder. Hth

wine can you quote an authoritative source for that? Everything I've seen says tax credits can be used for registered childcare, which includes home based childcarers on the vOCR. The funding which can't be used for that is the 15 hours EY funding for 3yos.

That is wrong Wine.

Page 3 of this guide specifically mentions nannies and others caring for a child in the child's home (slightly different regulations apply outside England).

Sorry ladies, I'm giving duff information.
We looked in to getting a nanny/ home based childminder a few years ago due to my irregular shifts, but at the time the costs for childcare in your own home could not be claimed back.
I stand corrected