STBXP and I are due to separate soon with him moving out. While I earn a decent wage my childcare costs are high as I have to pay even for days I don't work to keep the places due to shifts and unpredictable work pattern at short notice. I currently use a breakfast club at school, after school club on 2 days, holiday clubs and a couple of days a week a nanny/mothers help. She is vital as older child 6, was struggling with after school club every day and needed to be in his own home after school a few days a week. He has been a much happier child since so I'm reluctant to change this. She isn't Ofsted registered but I pay her a wage, NI etc with proper payslips for HMRC purposes. Will this be taken into account when I apply for tax credits or is it a strict Ofsted only situation? They seem to accept holiday clubs that are none Ofsted so hoping this is the case but can't find a clear answer. I'll not manage financially otherwise as STBXP is only going to pay the CMA absolute minimum which only covers about 48% of childcare costs each month. Any experience from others much appreciated.