Can someone explain reg childminder & tax credits to me pls?

[WallOfSilence]

I haven't used a registered childminder before as I haven't needed to.

I have had an aunt & a close friend (who I refer to as childminders to others as I don't have to keep explaining myself ) looking after my ds when I attended university.

My dd has been going to an afterschools club about 2 miles from the school. I have had to depend on a friend to drive her there on the 2 days I am at uni, which means that so far, my 2 children have been at different places.

However, now I have been offered a job on the 3 days I don't have uni, with the view to going full time when I graduate (yay!)

The thing is, I now need someone to have my children longer than before so I want to make it official & find a registered childminder. I have a list here in front of me of local registered minders & am trying to build up the courage to call them!

Can someone please try & explain to me how it would work if I got a regsitered childminder & what was the tax credits effect this? Do they pay a % of it?

Reading WTC5 may help.
I don't fully understand it myself, but it seems that you get a certain award - a percentage - which is NOT a percentage of your childcare costs, but a percentage of the maximum claim amount. Max percentage is 80%, so with 2 children - so if you got the maximum amount of help, then it is 80% of £300, which is £240. This amount I believe is paid directly to you, rather than the childcare provider.

With luck someone who knows more will post details.

Thanks Nick.

I will have a read of this in a bit.

I have just called a minder off the list.

She has room for dd but not ds

At the minute ds is at playgroup 3 days week & he can stay there until dh picks him up at 4. This would mean he would be in one place all day.

The c/minder would pick dd up at school & have her until dh picked her up.

She charges until 6pm even if dh is there for her at 4.30.

I am going to see her on Thursday morning so I can see what her place is like & she can meet dd etc...

Do you think I should keep trying for someone to take both of them?

There are 5 registered childminders in my area & 3 of them I wouldn't let feed my plants, one who has quit & this one

Finding a minder who could take both children I feel would be better, but you may not find anyone can take them both. Also something to consider is that when DS is at playgroup, the childminder will also probably be charging, as he is taking up Under 5's childcare place. Childminders will vary in their policies regarding paying for time not physically used... some will charge full fee, others may charge a retainer fee which is a percentage of the full fee.

For after-school care, childminders in my view often have a minimum charge... thus a childminder charging till 6pm isn't uncommon. It's not cost effective for them to just charge for the hours used. Charges are for the Childcare Place - regardless of if you actually turn up and use it.