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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Family looking after ds

21 replies

katie11111 · 15/01/2023 21:43

I'm really confused and keep looking online but can't get a clear answer.

When I go back to work (part time) my sister has kindly offered to have my DS.

I will be paying her via direct debit to cover any expenses for ds - nappies, days out, food and a some extra for obviously helping me out.

Is this ok to do?

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KangarooKenny · 15/01/2023 21:44

The trouble with using family rather than a nursery is that they get sick and want to go on holiday. Do you have a plan B for such occasions ?

Original poster

katie11111 · 15/01/2023 21:49

@KangarooKenny

yes I would know in advance if they are going on holidays and can't look after him would just use my annual leave from work.

And grandparents are happy to help when needed if sickness becomes an issue.

OP posts:

BigBangSmallBang · 15/01/2023 21:53

Childminders have holidays too. Paying expenses is fine but you can’t use this as a dodge to pay her for childcare.

Original poster

katie11111 · 15/01/2023 21:58

@BigBangSmallBang

yes this is our worry. We don't want to be doing anything illegal but I'm not sure how when I pay her for any expenses for the week, it's seen as expenses and not paying for a service kind of thing.

OP posts:

RandomMess · 15/01/2023 22:00

You can pay direct family for providing childcare, you just can't use childcare vouchers unless they are registered childcare providers

Whowhatwherewhenwhynow · 15/01/2023 22:03

I thought You could pay a close relative for looking after your child. However I am
not sure how this works in terms of being an income for her if you age paying anything more than a nominal amount

Dacadactyl · 15/01/2023 22:05

Not sure what I'm missing? Why wouldn't you be able to pay her for these things?

LoveBluey · 15/01/2023 22:07

I think you can pay her but you can't claim any of the government tax free childcare or when she's old enough the funded 20 or 30 hours childcare. That would need to be via a registered childcare provider.

BigBangSmallBang · 15/01/2023 22:07

If she is being paid for childcare surely this would need to be declared as taxable income in a way that expenses would not?

Original poster

katie11111 · 15/01/2023 22:07

@Whowhatwherewhenwhynow

Would be less than any childminder/nursery ect.

@Dacadactyl

I know I'm properly really over thinking it. I mean it in a way that do you have to declare the money.

OP posts:

Dacadactyl · 15/01/2023 22:09

katie11111 · 15/01/2023 22:07

@Whowhatwherewhenwhynow

Would be less than any childminder/nursery ect.

@Dacadactyl

I know I'm properly really over thinking it. I mean it in a way that do you have to declare the money.

Then if that's what you're worried about, I'd take the money out cash and give it to her.

The government and tax man can do one.

outbacker · 15/01/2023 22:10

Are you really saving THAT much money by using your DSis rather than a registered childcare provider? If you use the tax free childcare option too? It seems a more complicated solution to me.

Dacadactyl · 15/01/2023 22:12

Even if i was paying her the same price as a nursery and not getting any childcare vouchers help, id far rather my sister look after my kkids than some strangers in a nursery.

autienotnaughty · 15/01/2023 22:14

You can give a family member a gift of money for doing you the favour of babysitting and you can cover expenses too. You can't claim child care vouchers or uc. (I'm not trying to twist it, it's not a wage as they are not registered to child mind )

Original poster

katie11111 · 15/01/2023 22:17

Yeah I would much rather my sister look after him than a childminder. She will still visit family, be more flexiable and I can message her 24/7 for updates lol! Plus my niece is only a year older so he has a friend to play with!

And I would't use/claim any childcare vouchers or anything to help with cost.

OP posts:

RedHelenB · 15/01/2023 22:21

Are they looking after the child in your home or theirs?

Original poster

katie11111 · 15/01/2023 22:23

@RedHelenB both really and spending some days out and about.

OP posts:

smileladiesplease · 15/01/2023 22:32

Pay her cash. It's completely ok for close family members to do this but as pps have said you can't use vouchers unless it's a qualified setting. My sil and I did this as we both worked part time and shared child care. It was lovely worked really well.

jannier · 16/01/2023 09:32

Make sure you're on the same page with parenting and stuff like food, behaviour it can cause a lot of family stress if you have one view and she the other. What will you do at family events will you cope with lo seeking her out if hurt or needing things? How will you deal with overriding you by going to her if you've said no? Are you always able to have open and honest discussions if there are different views?
I think it's important to sort this out before you start to avoid bad feelings later. I've had a few families where it's caused real problems.

givemushypeasachance · 16/01/2023 12:38

There's unlikely to be income tax trouble if you're not paying her very much - but would this impact on anything your sister is claiming like universal credit? Not knowing her personal circumstances, but e.g. should she ostensibly be looking for work but won't be able to if she's looking after your child. If income isn't a problem and she just has free time and wants to spend it helping you out then no issue!

The other area to potentially consider is if it's registered childcare - but for one child, and a relative, also not a problem. The criteria are here: www.gov.uk/guidance/childminders-and-childcare-providers-register-with-ofsted/registration-exemptions. That would be more of a problem when it's someone who says to a friend I'll look after your toddler on Mondays, and then to another friend I'll have your two after school Tuesdays to Thurdays, and gets some 'pin money' for her trouble. Those sort of ad hoc arrangements can add up to mean they're providing care that should be registered with Ofsted as childminding.

Original poster

katie11111 · 16/01/2023 12:52

@givemushypeasachance

Thank you. She doesn't claim any UC or benefits. She works part time in the evenings to fit around her own kids so she has the free time in the day. I won't be paying her more than a child minder rate (or even the same - it is lower). Just expenses and a bit extra for helping me out.

We see her twice a week every week already so I'm very happy for her to have him.

We will crack on then

OP posts:

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