SIL looking after bubs.. how much should we pay her?

[mummato1]

My SIL has kindly offered to look after DS while I go back to work a couple of days a week. She is studing childcare and looking after DS will fit in to her study requirements, so it would also be great experience for her diploma.

She is happy to do it for nothing, but I dont think that would be right, but I also have no idea how much would be reasonable to pay her. I 'think' if we would use FDC it would work out to about $60-$70 a week.

She is looking after DS in our house, so everything she needs is here for him, nappies, food etc.

Do you think $50 a week would be ok? She knows money is tight atm, so whatever we pay would have to be less than FDC or CC.. otherwise I am better off putting him in FDC IYKWIM (for purely financial reasons), of course I am weighing up the benefit of having family look after DS.

We have asked her, but she doesnt know either!

[Pandora]

How many hours and how many days a week is it?
Also get her to register as a 'registered carer' that way you can get a little bit of ccb if you qualify on income/study test.

[mummato1]

oh I didnt realise she could register.. thanks for the heads up!

Will be two days a week, sometimes three.. basically from 8.30am - 5.30pm..

I feel so tight only suggesting $50, but we really cant afford too much more at the moment

[*LittleMissSummer*]

If she knows that money is tight for you then im sure she will be happy with whatever. As you said its at your house where everything is provided. You could always pay her in other ways, have her over for dinner or take her out for lunch just to show you are really thankful.

[mrsmac]

I pay $180 a week FDC for 3 days of 8-4pm so its $60 per day. CC charge a lot more for the same hours but they get food there.
If she registers she will have to declare her income and it may cause a lot of paperwork for her!