grubbysoles
09-11-2010, 09:19 PM
Hi everyone,
I'm a parent with a question about caring for my niece - I'm currently a stay-at-home mum to my 2 daughters, the older one turns 4 this month and the little one is 17 months. We will soon be having my niece (2 yrs and 4 months old) joining us for 4 days a week (10hrs a day) while her mum (my sister) is at work. Her relationship with my niece's dad has ended and she is looking to save nursery fees by me looking after her little girl instead of putting her in nursery.
So here's the catch - my sister is going to pay me for looking after my niece (I'd do it for free but I'm strapped for cash, and 40hrs of childcare a week is a lot when you're already looking after your own 2!). She could easily just bung me some cash and we all keep it quiet from the taxman, but I want to do this all legitimately so, as she is going to pay me, do I need to be registered?? I doubt she'll be claiming any child care tax credits as her salary is pretty juicy, but is it a legal requirement to be registered as a childminder if you're receiving payment, even if it's a relative?? I'm perfectly happy to apply to register if needs be, although I won't be taking on any more children - these three will be enough! Also, given the time of day that she will be collecting my niece, my partner will be home from work and will no doubt keep the little ladies entertained while I crack on with cooking the dinner. Would he need CRB checks, etc, even though he's her uncle!?
My sister's ex-partner is starting to be pretty nasty to her and I don't want to give him any fuel for his fire, i.e. getting us in trouble for her paying for unregistered childcare for his daughter, so I want to make sure we're doing everything properly. I'm just not sure where the law stands with receiving payment if it's your niece you are looking after.
I hope that all made sense!! Many thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.
Emma
:)
I'm a parent with a question about caring for my niece - I'm currently a stay-at-home mum to my 2 daughters, the older one turns 4 this month and the little one is 17 months. We will soon be having my niece (2 yrs and 4 months old) joining us for 4 days a week (10hrs a day) while her mum (my sister) is at work. Her relationship with my niece's dad has ended and she is looking to save nursery fees by me looking after her little girl instead of putting her in nursery.
So here's the catch - my sister is going to pay me for looking after my niece (I'd do it for free but I'm strapped for cash, and 40hrs of childcare a week is a lot when you're already looking after your own 2!). She could easily just bung me some cash and we all keep it quiet from the taxman, but I want to do this all legitimately so, as she is going to pay me, do I need to be registered?? I doubt she'll be claiming any child care tax credits as her salary is pretty juicy, but is it a legal requirement to be registered as a childminder if you're receiving payment, even if it's a relative?? I'm perfectly happy to apply to register if needs be, although I won't be taking on any more children - these three will be enough! Also, given the time of day that she will be collecting my niece, my partner will be home from work and will no doubt keep the little ladies entertained while I crack on with cooking the dinner. Would he need CRB checks, etc, even though he's her uncle!?
My sister's ex-partner is starting to be pretty nasty to her and I don't want to give him any fuel for his fire, i.e. getting us in trouble for her paying for unregistered childcare for his daughter, so I want to make sure we're doing everything properly. I'm just not sure where the law stands with receiving payment if it's your niece you are looking after.
I hope that all made sense!! Many thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.
Emma
:)