Paying childminder during lockdown

[Mishmased]

We have two DS aged 4 and 7. Childminder collects them after school 4 days a week. They haven't been going since the week starting the 23rd. DH works from home 9-5:30 all week and I go into work 3 days and work from home 2 days.
It has been quite exhausting having to work and help kids with their school work/ upload to google classroom especially my 4 year old. So we have taken a combination of holidays and unpaid leaves to be able to cope.
I suggested to DH we pay cm something as we haven't paid her since the week starting the 23rd of March but he disagreed. She's great and has been looking after the kids since my youngest was 2 years old.
She's not registered, we have no contract but I pay her two weeks at Christmas and the usual pressies.
She came highly recommended and I'm happy with her and her family treats the kids really well and only looks after them.
Just wondering what people's opinions are on this as I think it is only fair we give her something.

I can see that things are tricky. From a feminist perspective. Don't judge her on her family income, she has an income of €200 per week which is not even enough to pay tax or PRSI on. You know that it is not as simple as being down to her own choices. She lives in a patriarchy as do you and she has not had the opportunity to have a fully paid independent job. Even the rules surrounding the Covid payments prevent her from being paid. She, along with millions of other women, will suffer as a result of this situation more than men. This small amount of money and ability to earn has now been taken away from her. Make a gesture of solidarity towards this woman and every other woman who finds themselves in similar situations. She has probably been told for years that there is no need for her to work, that I'd she earned too much she would have to give half of it to the tax man, isn't she much better off without a care in the world, wanting for nothing, save for cooking and cleaning for her husband and three adult children.

This woman who brings your children into her home and cares for them deserves better. Pay her.

@gottostaypositive
Childminders earning under 12k I think do not have to register or pay tax but should declare their earnings. She is self employed and should do but she doesn't and as she is self employed the onus is on her. We had a nanny share when the kids were younger and paid her taxes, usc etc and wages were via bank transfer. When I met out cm and asked what her preferred payment option is she said cash so cash it has been.

Whilst our earnings haven't decreased, we are having to take alternate time off unpaid just to take the pressure off. So we're taking two weeks parental leave per month which means we are getting a third of what we would usually take home. And as this is going to go one for a while I was looking for a amount we can comfortable that is fair on her should things change and no childcare in sight as her family are currently working from home.

I'm sorry to hear about your cm, it is sad when things like that happen. We gave ours half the months fee for April yesterday as I haven't seen her in a while although we've been texting as kids took turns to have high temps so she asks for updates. Going forward it will be half the rate and hopefully things get better. We do really treasure her and it was DH that was questioning why pay as he bears the brunt of looking after the kids 3 days a week (I was gone for 12 hours today). Will stay positive

@chauteau
We were going to pay her that, not paying is out of the question. When you put it this way I see where you're coming from with regards to patriarchy. She is a fabulous lady and does a lot for her husband and children. On top of it she has ours for which I'm eternally grateful. I used this current situation to show DH how much she makes our lives so easy. And yes it isn't enough to be taxed. I did mention in my last post we are giving half the fee for the month as we're taking alternate weeks off unpaid (holidays dec last year, so don't have much left) parental leave. We decided half monthly is fair for now. Thanks for your post.