Accounting For Child Minders

Caring for Your Finances While You Care for Children

Running a childminding business involves more than just providing exceptional care; it requires diligent financial management. At Swan Books, we specialise in accountancy services for childminders, understanding the unique challenges and requirements of your profession. Our aim is to ensure that your financial health is as well-cared-for as the children you look after.

Our services are designed to meet the specific needs of childminders, providing you with the support you need to manage your finances effectively.

  • Comprehensive Bookkeeping: Keeping your financial records accurate and up to date with the latest software solutions.
  • Tax Planning and Compliance: Navigating the complexities of tax legislation to optimise your tax position and ensure compliance.
  • Payroll Solutions: Simplifying payroll management if you employ assistants, ensuring timely and accurate payments.
  • Financial Reporting and Analysis: Delivering insights into your business performance to support informed decision-making.
  • Business Advisory: Offering insights and advice to drive profitability, efficiency, and growth.

 

Why Choose Swan Books?

With over a 16 years of experience in providing accounting services to childminders in Essex and surrounding areas, Swan Books understands the specific financial challenges and opportunities within this industry. Our clients have consistently praised our approachable, thorough, and tailored services. Our commitment to your success is reflected in our client testimonials and our consistent high ratings.

There’s a reason we have nothing but 5 star reviews on Google.

Charlie Baxter
Charlie Baxter
2025-02-06
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Stacey has been my accountant for 2 years now after having returned from setting up an online business in Australia and I can't recommend her enough! As each tax deadline approaches, she has been incredibly helpful, taking the time to explain things I’ve always found difficult to understand. She also tidied up my Xero accounting (a multiple currencies one 🤢), which I had left in a bit of a mess, and made sure everything was in order. On top of that, she helped me identify legitimate business expenses I could claim, which was a huge help. Highly recommend!
Jessica MacMillan
Jessica MacMillan
2025-01-31
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Oh, Stacey where do I even begin? I first met Stacey in August 2024, and from that moment, I knew I wanted to switch accountants. Her presence is simply incredible. She’s not only extremely knowledgeable but also genuinely supportive of both you and your business, always striving to achieve the best outcomes. I’m so grateful to have met her and can’t wait to grow my business with Stacey by my side!
Tom Alderton
Tom Alderton
2025-01-28
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Stacey is the best around 🙂
Sophia Kelleway
Sophia Kelleway
2025-01-28
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Stacy was fantastic with helping me sort out my self assessment, she made it so easy for me to understand and she was so easy to talk to. I can't recommend her enough🥰🥰 xx
Alin Lebanov
Alin Lebanov
2025-01-28
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I cannot praise enough the quality of services offered by Stacey @ Swan Books along with her team. This is the first time I'm using their services and I would recommend them 100%. The whole process was so straight forward and the communication crystal clear. Definitely going ahead with them for the next financial year!
Ash
Ash
2025-01-28
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Excellent service thanks
Kirbie Shrimpton
Kirbie Shrimpton
2025-01-22
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Stacey & her team are beyond helpful! I could not recommend them more, no question is a silly question! They make being a sole trader EASY! Soooo happy i found them!!
Harry Couture
Harry Couture
2025-01-14
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Brilliant service - I had a few complications that were easily ironed out and explained by Stacey. Would recommend to anyone!
Gina Toyer
Gina Toyer
2025-01-08
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Brilliant and patient accountant highly recommend
Ian Bement
Ian Bement
2025-01-03
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Great service, kept fully informed of when things would happen. Can't fault Stacey for the way she dealt with our tax returns. First time using Stacey, everything straight forward and all information presented to us in an easy to read/understand format.

Our Process

Initial Consultation

Understand your business, your challenges, and your aspirations.

Onboarding

Seamless integration with your existing systems, training provided if necessary.

Tailored Solutions

We propose a bookkeeping solution adapted to your unique needs.

Regular Check-ins

Periodic reviews to ensure your financials are on track and to address any concerns.

Year-End Finalisation

Ensure everything is aligned, compliant, and ready for HMRC submissions.

Solutions We Use

We leverage cutting-edge accounting software to provide seamless financial management and reporting:

  • Xero: For real-time financial tracking and insights, ideal for small businesses that value accessibility and efficiency.
  • QuickBooks: Offering an intuitive platform for bookkeeping and financial management, perfect for keeping small businesses informed.
  • Sage: Known for its comprehensive features that cater to more complex small business needs, from payroll to inventory management.
  • Dext: Streamlining document management and expense tracking, ensuring that every financial transaction is captured accurately.

What Can Childminders Expense?

Effective expense management is crucial for maintaining profitability. Here’s an in-depth look at common expenses for childminders:

Childcare and Educational Supplies

  • Toys and Learning Materials: Costs for toys, books, and educational resources.
  • Art and Craft Supplies: Expenses for materials used in creative activities.
  • Safety Equipment: Investment in safety gates, first aid kits, and other childproofing items.

Home and Operational Costs

  • Home Office Supplies: Including items like stationery, printer ink, and office furniture used for administrative tasks.
  • Utilities: A portion of your utility bills, such as electricity, gas, and water, can be claimed if part of your home is used for business.
  • Rent or Mortgage Interest: A portion of these costs can be claimed if your home is your primary place of business.

Marketing and Client Engagement

  • Advertising and Marketing: Costs for promoting your childminding services, including flyers, business cards, and online ads.
  • Website & Hosting Fees: Expenses for maintaining a professional web presence.

Travel and Transportation

  • Travel Expenses: Costs for travelling to and from childcare-related activities, such as school runs or outings.
  • Parking and Tolls: Expenses incurred during work-related travel.
  • Vehicle Costs: Including purchase, maintenance, and insurance for business-related travel.

Professional Development

  • Training and Certification: Costs for courses and certifications to maintain and enhance your childminding skills.
  • Professional Memberships: Fees for joining professional bodies or associations.

Miscellaneous Expenses

  • Food and Drink: Costs for meals and snacks provided to the children in your care.
  • Cleaning Supplies: Expenses for cleaning products to maintain a hygienic environment.

 

Stacey has been amazing in getting my books in order and submitting my tax returns. She has given invaluable advice and is always on hand to answer any questions and provide support. Stacey has been a god send and given me one less thing to worry about so I can get on with running my business. Thoroughly recommend Stacey!
Sharon Groves

HMRC Guidelines for Childminders

As well as the above, it’s essential to understand the specific HMRC guidelines that affect your financial management as a childminder. Swan Books can help you navigate these rules to ensure you maximise your allowable expenses and stay compliant with tax regulations. Below is a summary of the HMRC guidelines for childminders. For more detailed information, you can visit the HMRC Business Income Manual.

Income and Taxable Profits

  • Income Tax: Profits from childminding are typically chargeable to Income Tax as trade profits. Some occasional childminders’ profits may be chargeable as miscellaneous income.
  • Recording Income and Expenses: Use the cash book and attendance register from the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) to record income and outgoings. Receipts are not required for items costing less than £10 unless multiple items purchased together total £10 or more.

Household Expenditure

Childminders can claim a portion of their household expenses based on hours worked:

Hours Worked% of Heating and Lighting Costs% of Water Rates, Council Tax, and Rent
108%2%
1512%4%
2017%5%
2521%6%
3025%7%
3529%9%
40 (full time)33%10%

Wear and Tear of Household Furnishings

  • 10% Deduction: Claim 10% of total childminding income for wear and tear on household furnishings. This covers items not used exclusively for childminding.
  • Cleaning Costs: Reasonable cleaning costs for household items due to childminding activities can be claimed separately.

Other Allowable Expenses

  • Food and Drink: Estimate costs for food and drink provided to children without needing receipts.
  • Car Expenses: Use simplified expenses mileage rates or claim actual car expenses for childminding purposes.
  • Additional Costs: Include expenses for toys, outings, books, safety equipment, stationery, travel fares, membership fees, public liability insurance premiums, and telephone use for childminding purposes.

Grants

  • Start-up and Running Costs: Grants received to start or run a childminding business should be treated according to normal principles. Pre-trading grants are not trade receipts but may reduce the amount of pre-trading expenditure relief available.

Our Pricing

At Swan Books, we tailor our pricing to fit your business’s specific needs. Our bookkeeping services ensure that your business finances stay up-to-date using leading cloud accounting software like Quickbooks or Xero. Whether you prefer monthly or quarterly updates, we keep you informed about your business profits consistently. We cover all areas of bookkeeping, ensuring thoroughness and precision.

The pricing for our bookkeeping services varies based on the volume of transactions each month. For a customised quote and a detailed breakdown, please contact us.

Registration

£ 45
00
  • Registration of you and your business self employment with HMRC.

Self Assessment Tax Returns

£ 250
00
Prices From
  • Preparation of tax calculation, preparation and submission to HMRC and financial statements
  • Prices may vary based on your business records. Please get in contact for a free consultation.

Bookkeeping

varies
  • Keeping your business finances up to date with cloud accounting software Quickbooks or Xero. Monthly or Quarterly updates providing you updates of business profits. All areas of bookkeeping undertaken.
  • Prices vary permitting to volume of transactions each month.

Books Clean Up

varies
  • If your accounts are in need of a tidy up and you want to upgrade your internal procedures for easier processes, you have come to the right place!
  • Prices vary client by client, please get in touch to discuss further.

VAT Returns

£ 175
00
Prices From
  • Quarterly VAT returns prepared and submitted with Making Tax Digital compliant software with all deadlines met.
  • Prices start from £175.00 per quarter

Power Hour

£ 65
00
Prices From
  • One to one power hour discussing your business accounting and how to make improvements to make your finances run more efficiently within the cloud software of your business alongside training on how to get the best of your software.

Payroll

£ 20
00
Per Payroll
  • All aspects of payroll processes ensuring all tasks are carried out by all deadlines and RTI compliant.
    - Weekly or monthly payrolls
    - Pension administration completed
    - RTI compliant with HMRC
    - Payroll year end service and reporting

Ready to take your business to the next level?

Book a Call