www.iva.co.uk

Hi

Ive decided that paying for registered childare (£390 a month) is not affordable.It would prob mean childcare or my iva payment.My only option at the moment is to try to juggle my 5 week shift pattern with my partners and try to find someone to help plug the gaps.I will have to pay someone (feelers out with friends and family) to 'childsit' on an adhoc basis.is this an allowable expenditure. It would be prob for 25hours spread out over a month in my own home?

Hi, nice to see you again and hope you are ok.

I don't think there will be a problem with this but you do need to run it past your IP.

They may well ask you to do a breakdown and average out the payments but best speak to them.

Childcare is a necessary expense and as Jan says if it is reasonable there is no reason why your IP would have a problem.

Hi there. Do tread carefully -- there are a myriad of rules and regulations covering caring for children for payment (even family members).

If your child is looked after in our own home then there are far less regulations.

Our son is looked after by a family member while we work, its much cheaper than having to pay a nursery or childminder. Our IP did not bat an eyelid at this, I just put in down as an expense.

If you are paying someone to look after your kids it doesn't matter where they are - it's an expense which has to be funded.

It is also much cheaper, as briggadeen says.