Does anyone pay a family member for childcare?

[QueenCassiopeia]

Not really sure about this. SIL has in the past offered to be a ‘nanny’ for our DC- which would suit us as DH does not like the idea of childminders etc and nurseries are too expensive. I only worry if we paid her (less than an actual childminder as she’s not qualified in childcare) where is line? Will we expect never for her to look after them again without being paid? Worried about crossing a line we can’t come back from.. nothing massive would only be a day or two a week but just mulling things over at this stage. Can anyone share their experiences with family as childcare? TIA

I think there are legal implications re paying for childcare. I would check the government website, they'll probably have guidelines/advice.

If you’re paying her as a nanny then you have to pay her minimum wage as she will be your employee and other holiday pay, maternity, pension, sick pay etc etc which is not less than a childminder!

I paid my dsis for a short while (she was a nanny at the time) but I paid full rate. I am sure people do pay family in a more casual way but does your dsil want to work as a cut price nanny?

Are you planning on using her as a nanny or a childminder? You've used both terms in your OP.
They are quite different and unless you have many children, you can't pay a nanny less than a child minder. Childminder works out of their own house and needs to be properly registered with local authority and Ofsted, is self employed. Nanny works in your home, does not need to be registered of qualified but us your employee so must be paid at least min wage, pension, ni, tax etc
I would advise drawing up a proper contract etc so that you both know where you stand both in terms of payment, extra hours, lateness, holidays etc etc Will save problems in the long run.

The easiest way not to get into an awkward situation is to discuss with her exactly what she wants to do and how you will reimburse her for her time. You're right in thinking you don't want to start setting precedents in that you have to pay her every time she looks after your child. Hopefully she'll understand where you're coming from.

As many people have said, technically she would need to be a childminder or nanny if you're paying her. If you enter into an informal arrangement (which I'm sure lots of people have with relatives), then if anything goes wrong on her watch you're not covered in the same way.

I wouldn't.

But then I always keep everything at arms length.

Much easier that way.

I cover my mum's costs to look after my dc when I am at work. She calculated how much petrol it costs to come across town and do school pick up/drop off and we agreed on a price per meal. At the end of each month she tells Me How many car journeys and meals she has done and I pay that amount.
So she doesn't make any money but isn't out of pocket either.

I pay my mum. But she is a registered Childminder so I have a contract and receipts and Ofsted check up on her and she has first aid and insurance etc.

Apart from the money side I would think carefully about how it could impact on family relationships. Many cm's have the policy of not taking friends or family for a very good reason. Its easy to take things for granted and feel taken advantage of, when out at social functions there can be upset as the Lo starts going to SIL who agrees to things you said no to, parenting styles can cause conflict making child say things (I have a mindee who tells mummy she wants to live at aunties as auntie never says no)....so if you do it have a contract and clear rules for both of your sakes.
A childmidner has several children so gets £3 to £7 ush per child depending on area a family member could only have your child would they be willing to work for as little as £3 an hour remembering that this would aslo mean your paying the tax free part that you could save so still costing you more.

Why is you OH so set against cm's? Does he understand that they are registered inspected and work to the same standards as nurseries often with higher qualifications than the typical nursery room leader? Or does he take the media view that they are unskilled doing it for a bit of pin money whilst doing the housework view? Has he even been to see any?

Thanks for replies everyone sorry for misuse of job name I’ve always been their sole caregiver so haven’t used anyone before! I think I will heed warning and not touch the subject with a barge pole it wasnt dramatically important anyway. Thanks again!