Childminders, a question please

[EnglishGirlApproximately]

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.

I know a cm and parent who do this. Their excuse is that the cm can charge more as the tax credits are paying and the parent doesn't mind as she isn't picking up the tab. I bet it's very common where friends or family are looking after the children.

Like Borntobeamum, my first thought was also "is she registered?". If you say you are claiming tax credits and she makes excuses not to offer a place, I would suspect not...or if she minds more children than she should, she will not want an official paper trail.

Well, I emailed this morning to ask her to clarify and she said "I have two sets of prices as I don't believe its fair on parents who don't get help to have to pay as much as those who do"

I told her that I wouldn't be going to see her. I don't know if we'll get help yet, we've asked for a review. I'm really uncomfortable with the idea if her making decisions based on her perception of how much money someone has. She would have no idea if people were being honest, what other outgoings they have etc. It really feels like she's judging people on benefits. Very odd way to do business.

I know they don't get involved with fees and things, but it might be worth forwarding the email to your Early Years team at the council as I'm still pretty sure this is discriminatory and they should be interested in it from that angle.

Appalling practice on her part.

I'd be inclined to have a word with Ofsted. I think it's highly unprofessional, thoroughly offensive and possibly illegal.

She really is charging low income families more!

I've never come across a parent that gets all of their childcare paid (most I ever cam across was 70%) so she is actually charging the parents on lower incomes MORE than those on as high income. PositiveOutlook does your friend not realise she IS paying more than she would with an ethical child minder?

I think this is appalling! How can she think this is ok?

I once had a parent ask me at first meeting if I would say I charged 30% more just on paper so she could get more help. I refused she went to someone else!

Bonkerz Did she not see that if you said "on paper" that you charged that amount, you would have to put it through your books as that amount? Makes you wonder about the chid minder that agreed doesn't it!

A few times I was contacted by TCs and asked for details of how much parents had paid me. Don't think some parents realised it can be checked up on!

If anyone asks if you are getting tax credits, just tell them it's none of their business!