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Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Ratios for childminders

38 replies

hibbledibble · 22/04/2018 19:14

I looked at the Ofsted website and the ratios for under 5s is listed as 3 per childminder/assistant.

Are there ever times when it is ok to be outside of these ratios?

I'm asking as I saw a childminder where these ratios were significantly out, but she said this was allowed as no set limit. Is this true?

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MollyDaydream · 23/04/2018 22:48

So long as they only had 3 school kids under 8 they might technically be within ratio but depends if they can show they care isn't compromised by increasing their numbers.
Did it feel safe and well managed?

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hibbledibble · 23/04/2018 22:40

It was her and one assistant, and there was 9 children. There is more than this on some days apparently.

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MollyDaydream · 23/04/2018 22:16

How many did she have?

4 under 5s isn't unusual, but I would question if 5 or 6 could ever be managed safely. She can only have 6 under 8s.

Original poster
hibbledibble · 23/04/2018 22:14

She has additional after school children

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hibbledibble · 23/04/2018 22:13

boofay no all are with the childminder all day, I did ask after I counted the children.

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BoofayTheOompaLoompaSlayer · 23/04/2018 22:10

Could some of those children have been "rising fives", so four years old but in full time education (reception)?

Original poster
hibbledibble · 23/04/2018 21:27

I'm not thinking of reporting her, just if so wish to place my children there given the low adult:child ratio. I am confirming what is indeed the norm.

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hibbledibble · 23/04/2018 21:22

leesy all under 5, varied in age from 1-4 I believe. All with her all day.

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leesypops · 23/04/2018 20:10

What age were the children she was looking after?

jannier · 23/04/2018 09:23

One way cm's are being encouraged to subsidise 30 hours free funding is the blurring or rules on ratios so if a child is doing 30 hours at school nursery they now can be counted as an over 5, children in full time reception at 4 have always been counted as over 5 then you have the exceptions like those already mentioned.
The cm has to risk assess be confident she can meet all needs and the parents must b aware of numbers. basically bringing them nearer to nursery ratios, something cm organisation PACEY have fought against since Trusses mad suggestions that have now been wormed in by government in an attempt to get mothers back to work at any cost to the children.

If you see over 6 under 5's or children not being cared for properly you can still report them but its much harder to be sure of a ratio breech as an outsider,

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 23/04/2018 07:05

There are lots of reasons why a childminder may legitimately have more than 3 under 5. (Mainly because it’s not under 5 but ‘early years’ which is basically children not yet in full time school).

Though if she said there’s ‘no set limit’ I’d be wondering if she’s even registered.

Nicadooby · 23/04/2018 07:01

Yes that is true although a childminder will nearly always be allowed to care for 3 under 5’s they are allowed to do a self variation and increase there ratios for a new baby for themselves, a new baby sibling to an exsisting child they already care for or under continuity of care where a child who already attends there setting needed to change their attending hours at the parents request that then clashes with other children.

The 100% maximum a childminder can care for is 6 under 5’s at one time, but this would be very rare. And they would need to prove to OFSTED that all the child’s needs are being meet.

PrincessScarlett · 22/04/2018 21:18

It is 3 under 5s per childminder/assistant but you may be allowed more under 5s in the case of twins/siblings or continuity of care. However, if a childminder is massively over 3 under 5s that is not allowed.