The main problem with childcare vouchers is that you get them late - there is a solution

[KatyMac]

OK

As a childminder I get Sohodex/Accor/BusyBees vouchers on 4/5/6th of the month

My contracts say 1st of the month for the money to be in my account

So I have sorted out a way of the money going in on time

If the parent uses their voucher (either electronic or paper) from February to pay March's bill and March's voucher to pay Aprils & so on

It works - but you have to persuade the parent that it works

But I do like being paid on time - I am a bit anal about that

Just thought I'd let you all know

I'm with Jura on this, it is irrelevant when contracts are dated and start. I have parent who want a place with me and start claiming childcare vouchers whilst on maternity leave, so they have a large credit in their childcare account, but some still can't manage to pay on time, whether it be the 1st. 15th or 30th of the month!

Payment should be made when payment is due and parents have to sort that out.

The biggest problems with parents is paying fees, how can they mess about with their childcare like this, they wouldn't dream of not paying their car insurance, mortgage, rent etc.

I said to a parent just before Christmas,I am going to give you notice as I do not need you to support my childminding business, ( a bonus earner for me) would you really jeopardise your childcare for a few hundred pounds?

She has one in nursery and I asked her do you pay the nursery late or not pay when your child doesn't attend?
She promptly raised my fees and pays me a month in advance a week before the fees are due!!

I'm losing patience with these voucher things. Faircare were great, but since my employer changed jobs I've been having nothing but trouble - as the voucher company has also changed (to Accor). It's now Feb 6th and I am still waiting for January payment. I can't log in to Accor's website, as I have not received by carer pack with my login details. I just hope that whenever I do manage to login, there is money in the account to transfer (but if there is, why can't they just credit it to my bank account, why do I need to login?).
I feel it is the parents responsibility to pay on time... while it may not be their fault that the voucher company has not processed things in time, it's not my fault either.

Just reading the Accor faq: Electronic Childcare Voucher payments are issued automatically once the parent requests payment online.
Hmm, so if I've not had payment, the parent hasn't requested it! Does not appear that I need to get the carer pack, I just need an account number, which I got from Accor via e-mail and gave to the parents, 4 days ago.

BACS details went on the application form. So now the only delay seems to be with the parents (or possibly with the BACS system - it can take a few days to come through).
Will have a chat with my boss, Before she goes to work, so that if she hasn't processed the tranaction yet, she can do so during her lunch hour.
Alas it isn't the only issue, haven't had February's kitty money yet, or mileage payment.
I know Jan is a lean month for lots of people, but surely the person providing childcare comes fairly high up on the list of people to pay.