childcare during jury service

[canela]

Has anyone had any experience of claiming childcare costs whilst doing jury service? It says you have to claim at the end of your period, but I wondered if there were any rules around using registered providers etc.

start of half-term not a great time to be called for this!

[slh2009]

I'm not sure if the Childcare provider had to be registered but I had to provide an invoice for extra days my son had to attend nursery so I guess maybe they do....

[canela]

Yes, I would imagine they do. It's just a bit difficult as mine are older so when we need school pick-ups etc we ask an old au pair friend who is not registered. So I need to find a childminder nearby who suddenly has two extra spaces just for two weeks!

slh2009, did they pay back the expenses quickly at the end?

[slh2009]

It's tricky.....yes I think it was paid back within a couple of weeks but can't remember exactly. You could try and defer your attendance on childcare basis maybe? It might mean you don't get called again though as think you would just go back into the "pot". There should be a contact no on the letter, maybe ring them and ask what proof of payment they need? Hope you get something sorted, I found it a fascinating experience....

[canela]

thanks all. etta166, wierdly this info is no longer in the booklet! but I did call and they pay ?2.50 per hour for unregistered care, or the full amount for registered care.

[canela]

No you are right - there is a daily cap! So for two children for a whole day you end up shelling out quite a lot!

I must admit am torn in how I feel. Jury service sounds fascinating but we are a one income family on a not very high salary, and this is going to have quite an impact on our budget.

[canela]

thanks for all your comments.

i did ask for it to be deferred but was told I would be fined.

am open to an interesting experience, if a bit of a hassle