Working Families Tax Credit is supposed to be a benefit for parents who work to be able to access affordable childcare. It is aimed at giving parents a choice over which form of childcare to use, promoting equal opportunity for all. How can any parent have the time to assess the needs of their child and settle them in if the only decision available is who is going to get their child's money for six months?
If a setting turned out to be unsuitable for a child's needs, how is the parent to change that setting, if the tax credit goes directly to the setting for such a long period of time?
The fair safeguard to any setting is good practice and good business practice. Registered childminders have a settling-in period during which time parents and childminders have the option to leave the contract without penalty. This allows the child's needs and the needs of the other children in that setting to always be put first.
From a business point of view, the real issue is whether clients should be allowed to accrue debt. Nurseries and childminders incur costs in providing a service, so if parents do not pay when agreed, they are in breach of contract. All settings constantly should exchange information with parents and remind them that the setting can and will, if necessary, withdraw the service and take proceedings to recover the debt.
To alleviate the problem of the minority of parents who abuse the system, lobby the Working Families Tax Credit Helpline to tighten up its complaints procedure and stop any fraudulent claims immediately. Don't keep slating parents who find themselves requiring support in order to provide us businesses with an income. These are the very same parents who contribute to creating more opportunities for expansion in all areas of quality childcare provision.
I will continue to welcome a diverse range of parents through my door for as long as I remain in business as a registered childminder. I hope other settings will do the same.
