Advice from Childminders please re doing accounts

[MUM2BLESS]

I started Childminder Last September. When it comes to working out your expenses etc ie claiming for gas, electric etc do you go by your contracted hours or by the actual hours worked. I have been advised by some to do the contracted by others the worked.

Which one do I go by?

My hours are so different week by week.

If you read the guidance in the ncma handbook it's based on the hours actually worked for each week - pain in the backside when you work different hours each week . The handbook states the percentages for the hours worked.

Don't forget all the other things you can claim for - including mileage if you use your car.

Yep it's actual hours worked.

Hours worked. It's a pain in the neck, but you can understand why ... you are only allowed to claim for having the heating on for children when they are actually there, not when they are contracted to be there. (and yes I know we all put the heating on before they arrive, so it is warm when they get here!)

Isn't is paid for hours?

No. Worked hours. I'm 90% sure, so feel free to disagree. I wish it was paid hours, it would be much easier to calculate.

This is how I work mine out

eg Monday, have 1 child 7.15 til 4.45, 2nd child 8.15 til 5.15 and 3rd child 9.30 til 2.30 well thats 23 1/2 paid hours but worked hours is 7.15 til 5.15 so thats 10 hours that day and if you did that every day that would be 50 hours so can claim the highest percentage on the list. Does that make sense?

You're right HSMM - its only the hours children are with you. You're not supposed to include the hours you spend cooking/preparing/cleaning/planning/admin/coursework or anything else you do when children are not in attendance . If you have children less than 40 hours a week you have to scale down the expenses you are claiming. But if you work more than 40 hours you can't claim any extra .
I make a note in my diary of the hours worked each week, so its easy to refer to when I do my accounts.

I do same as ayla, I record in my diary hours worked each week and miles travelled that way you dont have to work it out when you come to do your accounts so saving time.

A BIG THANKS TO ALL YOU WONDERFUL CHILDMINDERS FOR YOUR ADVICE.

I AM SURE YOU WILL HEAR FROM ME AGAIN.