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Concerned Mum - how many children can a childminder legally have?

21 replies

deegward · 22/04/2004 18:47

Please help me, today on my way home from school, I saw someone (a school mummy who I know is a registered childminder) walking 12 children home from school. All were primary school aged or below, and aged in range from year 5 to 1.5 years old. I just thought this was too many. Even if most of them were just there for after school care.

She has two children of her own, one of school age, do her own children count towards her number.

I just feel very uncomfortable about this, especially as I know one of the children and therefore the mother, and know that she is always really particular about her child's safety. Feedback please.

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Lisa78 · 22/04/2004 18:50

Hi deegward, I'm not 100% on this - am going on what my neighbours (both CM's) were saying, but I think that you can only have 5 under 5, and 1 under 1. I've a feeling that over 8's aren't included in the number - but own children are if under 8

That said, regulations aside, if DS2's CM did this I would go absolutely mad, even if she only had them in her care for the walk home

deegward · 22/04/2004 18:54

So as long as she does't have more than 5 under 8, she can then have unlimited over 8s?

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fairyfly · 22/04/2004 18:57

I was told its the size of your house, your allowed one child per ten square metres or something.........?

Lisa78 · 22/04/2004 18:58

hang on, will just go ask and find out what the rules are for definate

deegward · 22/04/2004 18:59

But how can that work if she is walking the streets with them. I really am concerned.

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coppertop · 22/04/2004 19:01

12 children???? Eeeek! I'd be worried too.

LIZS · 22/04/2004 19:04

I think lisa is right iirc but the Certificate will state how many, and normally , according to Ofsted website only 1 under 1. However can you be sure that she was not just walking some of them home. If she is not being paid to "care" for them all then I wonder if it might fall into a grey area. But yes, her own children do count in the numbers.

Perhaps you could just mention to your friend that she seems to be running a Walking Bus service ?

eddm · 22/04/2004 19:04

Does sound extraordinary. Are you sure she was acting as a childminder, and not, I don't know, part of a walking bus or something?

fairyfly · 22/04/2004 19:04

I just got this from the childminding Association:

How many children will I be able to look after?
In England childminders are allowed to care for up to six children under 8 - the actual figure will depend on your personal circumstances and the size of your home. Only three of these children can be under 5, and of these, usually no more than one child may be under one year old although exceptions can be made for brothers and sisters. Childminders in England can apply to Ofsted to have their registration amended to be able to care for more than one baby. They will need to show that they are able to care effectively for more than one baby at once.

A childminders own children will be included in these limits.

deegward · 22/04/2004 19:07

Thanks all, I did ask around, and was told she was very popular for after school care, and this number or around it ie 10 - 12 was not unusual. I think I need to do more digging and find out more. Or I am just being a busy body?

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Lisa78 · 22/04/2004 19:08

OY FF!!! I've just got the ofsted manual from my neighbour and was about to quote that!!!
It does say that over 8 years old, there are no limits apart from floor space but "any care provided for children aged 8-14 is not allowed to adversely affect the care provided for children under 8"

fairyfly · 22/04/2004 19:09

ooo i hate it when that happens Lisa

Lisa78 · 22/04/2004 19:10

No you are definately not been a busy body. If it was my child I would want to know - and I would not consider the person that told me to be a busy body. I think she is putting the safety of those children at extreme risk; no one is that good at childminding that they can effectively care for 12 children, frankly, if I were in your shoes, I would report her to ofsted

Lisa78 · 22/04/2004 19:10

never mind ff, I did get an extra bit in so am feeling helpful and useful

fairyfly · 22/04/2004 19:14

Only a little bit Lisa i won i won.

I took seven kids home from school once in an emergency, it was very dangerous, i rang up my friend and asked her to come and help me. The kids that weren't mine were running ahead and not holding hands. Croosing the road was a nightmare.

lieman · 22/04/2004 19:21

my ex child minder told me she couldn't have more than you have stated as she would have no insurance cover. do these childminders never have spot checks form ss?

deegward · 22/04/2004 19:40

Thanks I think I will consider talking to her tomorrow, don't know what I would say, but I just can't leave it

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KatieMac · 22/04/2004 20:29

She may have a variation in her childminding numbers, however 12 is an awful lot OFSTED have a number if you are worried (I can get it for you)
There is also a limit on numbers with regard to planning permission.
In my area over 6 children on the premises means you need 'change of use' from the planning people.
However I can't think of anyway I as a childminder (even when working with my DH - also registered)would be allowed to have 12 under 5.
This seems very dangerous
Alibubbles would be able to give better advise as she is such a good childminder

nicm · 22/04/2004 22:14

i'm a registered childminder in northern ireland and we are only allowed 6 children at any one time, but not more than 3 under 5, any more and your insurance will not cover you. this includes your own children. i would call the local social services and they would probably call out to her for a visit. hth

nightowl · 23/04/2004 00:03

do you know her name? if you phone your local council they will send you a list of childminders. It will show exactly how many she personally is registered for.

deegward · 23/04/2004 22:23

Again, thanks again, I will go down the finding out how many she is registered for, and take it from there

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