Childcare

[moretolife]

Hi again....this is an interesting thread and I think that childcare is always an emotive subject. I have been self employed as registered childminder for 20 years and I know that some people do use unregistered childcare whether related or not....if the poster doesnt want to classify the contributions as payments but only to cover what may be used ...as stated nappies/food /outings etc...then they can get round that by actually buying the nappies /wipes /and it would come out of their own housekeeping allowance.This would shortcut any need for money to change hands .

Most parents nowadays bring all that to childminder either on monthly basis or each day in a bag....most parents also provide packed lunches etc....and cover cost of outings...I invoice all my parents for outings etc

This would have been spent/used on children if they were at home anyway with parents in the natural day to day life so it would have come out of allowances.It doesnt really matter where or who changes the nappy..the child will need it done anyway.

As for caring for children when unregistered I do know of people who have been prosecuted but in the long run...who would "tell"...but it is a risk you take.

It will be interesting to hear how this proceeds and I wish you all the best in your IVA application and hope Melanies team can work it out for you

[GinSkipper]

Rather ironicaly there was a news article this morning about the very subject of paying Grandparents for child care. There is apprently also some proposals for Tax Credits to child caring Grandparents, but would probably be a long way from even being reviewed by the Goverment.

If anyone is interested in reading more on the news article or the group proposing the changes then please look for it on the relevent news or Gradparent Support website.

Cheers

Andy

[Its_a_long_road]

I totally can understand all the points mentioned and yes, the nappies,food,etc. could maybe be part of my allowances. It's a bit difficult to say to my parents invoice me for any outings, as they would start to ask questions why such a formal arrangement is taking place. As for unregistered, I would had thought if grandparents were to look after grandkids, it's better than leaving them with a stranger? I'm hoping an element of trust is involved in that the creditors will trust my paying the grandparents for expenses, even if a lower figure can be worked out as anything left goes into the iva pot so they benefit.

[Locko]

I was allowed a small amount for child care as it was a friend who minds my daughter after school and in the holidays - hope this helps

[Its_a_long_road]

Can I ask how much that was if you don't mind me asking? Ive got 2 kids and it would be all day for the little one and from lunchtime for the older one once she starts nursery in sept.

[Locko]

Hi, I put down £150 a month as was scared to put anymore down incase it wasnt accepted good luck x

[kallis3]

The best thing to do with eveything to do with I&E is put down what you spend - your IP will soon tell you if it is too much and needs to be cut down.

Far better to do that than only put a nominal amount down and be struggling.

[moretolife]

Just for interest...I rang Ofsted today to enquire re this thread.

Grandparents can care for their related grandchildren for payment WITHOUT being registered as a childminder. BUT....if the payment is through Childcare vouchers or by working tax credits then a registered childcare setting has to be used. (the 2 hour ruling is for non related agreements )

It looks to me as if this poster can ask for a childcare element in their I and E and the IP can work with this in the proposal and hope the creditors will accept it...as we all hope when we present our initial expenditure to the creditors.

Best of luck to "its a long road"

[MelanieGiles]

Thank you for that research MoretoLife. It will be very helpful for all posters to know.

[Its_a_long_road]

Thank you very for MoretoLife for taking time to do this research, it is much appreciated. What I will do is go through my I&E again before I send all my paperwork to Melanie and try and be as realistic as possible and then take it from there.
All I can say is this forum is a godsend, without this you can see people really fearing going through the IVA process.
Keep up the good work!!

[kallis3]

Well done MTL for finding that out.

Its_a_long_road, I hope your paperwork goes through ok and you get your proposal quickly.

You are in good hands with Melanie.

[size5]

Certainly an interesting thread this one. When the sizettes were younger, we had them both in the same nursery and that was costing us £500 per month 6 years ago!! Cheapest around the area as well. It wasn't practical to get family help for us unfortunately, but it certainly seems a much more cost effective option all round.

Regards.

[Its_a_long_road]

We have done our enquiries for having them both in a nursery full time and the cheapest quote we got was approx. £1100 per month for them both. The most expensive was approx. £1450. I have worked out an I&E which I hope will be more much more cost effective as it wouldn't even be half of the cheapest figure. But I guess its in the creditors hands, as is everything else!

[kallis3]

My daughter went to a childminder from 11 weeks until she was 6 (when hubby retired) and that used to cost us £200 a month. That was back in the late 80's, early 90's.

[size5]

I think I'm in the wrong job!!!

It doesn't really end when they go to school either. Typically there are 13 weeks holidays during the school year, and whilst myself and Mrs S try and take weeks here and there to look after the Sizettes, there are usually 7 or 8 weeks when they have to go to playgroup, and that costs an arm and a leg as well.

Regards.