Question about childminders accepting childcare vouchers (care-4 and similar)

[lynniep]

I'm posting on behalf of a friend who asked the following question ( I can't answer it as ds goes to nursery and they accept care-4 which is what my DH's company use)

I can't seem to find anything specific about it just doing a quick google, but we saved so much money using this scheme I'd hate for her to miss out just because she would rather have a childminder than use a nursery (I'm not going to question her whys - not my business!)

"Do you guys know anything about childcare vouchers (the ones you can purchase via your employer out of your gross salary)?

In particular, do you know if most, some or only a few childminders accept them as payment for childcare?
I know most nurseries accept them, just not sure about childminders and not sure where to find this out!
"

As a nanny I accept Childcare Vouchers from various voucher companies. I have to register with each voucher company separately - it is this issues that may cause problems, as a childminder may need to register with quite a lot of different voucher companies. Childminders may have rules with regard to how the vouchers can be used... for example, a December voucher can only be used to pay in advance part of January's invoice.
Best for your friend to ask childminders on an individual basis if they accept that companies vouchers and if not, if they would consider doing so (may be wise for your friend to obtain the carer registration form from the voucher provider, so it can be given to the chosen carer as soon as possible).

As always Nick is right

I take 3 types of voucher.....& as Nick says you have to make sure that it goes in on time

Lots of minders do take vouchers

I pay my childmindr with vouchers - makes no difference to her - we use a company that invoices my employer (who has deducted the money fom my salary) and pay my childminder directly into her bank account.

Never had a problme with it.

i use 2 different types its so easy to start up and all i do is ring in a code and the money gets put in my bank
wish all parents could do this

I don't do anything....it just magically arrives in my bank

I like it

Mine are the same as Katy. I get an email from the company telling me who it's from and how much is being paid into my bank.

same here Its the best way to be paid.

Me too! I get paid through 3 different companies.

When we asked her our CM agreed to register for vouchers, it took some time to sort out but it's worth doing for the parents. Since it's us that are saving money, I always try to do it as conveniently as possible for her. The maximum amount claimable through employers before tax and NI is £243 a month or £55 a week, so we normally pay in vouchers when we have enough and by cheque when not (our CM charges weekly in advance).

Just make sure you arrange for the voucher your end to be released about a week in advance of playment date as they can take upto 4-5 days to clear sometimes which is highly inconvenient from the CM end!

I ask my parents to keep back the first months payment in vouchers and pay me the first month in full, then they have the vouchers ready to release on the 1st of the month for the next month.

ie keep January's to pay February's with as I wasn't getting paid till sometimes the 8th of the month.

All my parents have been fine with this, and I have it in my contracts.