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Original poster

childminder possible in breach of registration

57 replies

Nubbin · 22/06/2010 21:02

Hi

I am due back at work in 2 weeks and had found a childminder I liked - local, nice etc. She was looking after her son (3) full time and doing a school pick up for a five year old. My dd is 6 months old and will be with her full time.

This morning she emailed to say that she has taken on 2 more full time girls (2 and 3). I think this puts her in breach of her Ofsted registration (she is registered as being allowed 4 children under 8 of which only 2 can be in the early years age group). Not sure what to do now - do I mention the Ofsted thing (in which case I imagine that she would probably dump my dd) - more than that would 4 under 5s in the care of one adult work?

Would love to know what other people would do - if anyone has that many kids and how it works? Just think that it does not seem very professional and that does not bode well???

Thanks

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lollipopmother · 22/06/2010 22:03

I haven't had time to read all the answers but has the CM said that she's having the two mindees at the same time as the others - maybe they aren't full time, maybe one comes for mornings and the other comes for afternoons?? Or one comes Mon-Wed the other Thurs-Fri etc?

atworknotworking · 22/06/2010 22:02

Ta yep need a commercial one, last quote was £15K

JenniPenni · 22/06/2010 22:00

That does sound small, yes. And I am a big one for a separate sleep area. Will she use her own bedroom for this then? Is it registered for use?

All these questions, plus what activities she will be doing with them etc. you need to ask her.

Original poster
Nubbin · 22/06/2010 21:59

I'm an employment lawyer so not much use to you! I can recommend but they will all be city lawyers which is v expensive - if it something simple you are better going with local rather than paying the premium.

Glad to hear there are positive experiences of the age mix. Her cousins are certainly not gentle - their version of hugging seems more like wrestling...

OP posts:
atworknotworking · 22/06/2010 21:59

Good idea Nubbin flat sounds very small for that number of mindees, I am reg'd for 11 but use 9 rooms, even then some days are pretty full on with little people everywhere.

It might prompt her to think carefully about how she is going to manage practically with them all.

JenniPenni · 22/06/2010 21:56

I have 3-4 under 3s every day, and it works out really well I have a variation in place (continuity of care). Toddlers are certainly not all rough. I have house rules and we have loads of fun.

Something that works really well with this age group is role play. We play with the dolls a lot, kissing them, being gentle and loving etc. This role play definitely helps in how the toddler then interact with a baby.

Original poster
Nubbin · 22/06/2010 21:56

Floor space is a real issue - she has a one bedroom flat and uses 1 one room for childminding I would say it is about 10 ft square - given that dd lies down most of the time (she can't sit up unassisted yet) that doesn't leave a lot of room.

I have emailed to say I have some concerns about feeding/ sleeping arrangements - what activities will be organised during the day to keep everyone amused - whether they will be left alone at any point (e.g. when she goes to make lunch for the kids etc.) I knew going back to work would be hard but possibly I didn't realise how hard and how much you worry about eveything!

OP posts:
KatyMac · 22/06/2010 21:55

But even Nick will agree I am rule bound

nannynick · 22/06/2010 21:54

Katy has Staff! Not really any other way of managing 9 under 3 - or getting permission for it!

KatyMac · 22/06/2010 21:54

That's true if he is nearly 4 he could start school in Sept (as long as he goes F/T)

atworknotworking · 22/06/2010 21:54

Generally minders can have six children in total. 3 in early years (of which only 1 under 12mths) and 3 on the childcare register, so between the ages of 5 and 8. Although as has been mentioned children at full time school even if they are still 4 yrs old can be counted as rising 5's within the childcare register.

Is one of the newbies at school. I would definately check with the minder, if it's a genuine mistake she will be grateful of the heads up.

Just a quick hijack, I am looking for a lawyer to check over a lease agreement and do a share purchase agreement, don't suppose you can reccommend anyone?

LesbianMummy1 · 22/06/2010 21:52

when is her sons birthday? I ask as my son is 3. He is 4 in august and starts school full time 13th September so from 13th September Ofsted have agreed he will change my registered numbers as he in effect comes into over 5's numbers.

If this is case she would have ds (over 5)
Girl (5) (over 5)
siblings (Early Years)
your dd (Early Years) therefore not over numbers if Ofsted agree to move him up in her age groups.

HSMM · 22/06/2010 21:50

DH and I have 7 under 5s and the little ones really thrive mixing in with the older children. The older children act as carers, mentors, guides, tall people to reach toys, etc (as well as having to be watched, for those 'toddler moments').

frakkit · 22/06/2010 21:49

Hang didn't you say 4 under 8?

I wonder if floor space was a consideration when OFSTED gave out her numbers?

KatyMac · 22/06/2010 21:48

I have help....honest

I haven't broken ratio in all 7 years I have been a childminder - I am a bit rule bound too

shoshe · 22/06/2010 21:48

HopandBop, not here you can't I have known plenty of Cm's try, only way you would get a variation, would be for continuation of care (say child did 2 days mum needed to change to 4 days, could get variation for the two new days) or for twins.

Original poster
Nubbin · 22/06/2010 21:43

9 under three!!! You must be exhausted or super energetic. One is more than enough most days for me. The reason I went for the childminer set up was I liked that idea of her having an older child who would be a constant along with the constant care of one adult.

OP posts:
KatyMac · 22/06/2010 21:40

Well I have 9 all under 3 & I survive

The babies and the older ones have very good realtionships imo much more like home (with siblings) than like school (at nursery)

Hopandpop · 22/06/2010 21:39

you can get a variation o a new buisness :D

Original poster
Nubbin · 22/06/2010 21:37

Apart from the whole Ofsted thing which is a big concern - what are people's experience of the age mixes? Nurseries seem to segregate 0 - 18 months away from other bigger kids. I was comfortable with one 3 year old and dd as I think that is manageable. I am not sure if you add two other toddlers. Dd isn't mobile yet so couldn't get out of the way if toddler tantrums started. She also isn't used to any other kids - we are the first of our group of friends to have one - she is my first (hence the neurotic worrying) and she has met her cousins who are between 1 and 3 and mostly they are a bit too interested and don't really understand when she grabs/ can't play..

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 22/06/2010 21:35

She will be over her limit. It sounds like she hasn't taken her own son into consideration.

KatyMac · 22/06/2010 21:33

They count for ratios but not on her certificate

So 2 Early Years on her cert plus her son makes 3 Early Years in total which is her ratio

I think she has said
One under one - your DD
2 Early Years - little girls
Her DS - not on cert

Sorted

She is, of course, wrong

Missus84 · 22/06/2010 21:31

Maybe she has got confused and thinks she can have one under 1, plus two under 5s, plus her own son? I'd call and confirm with her - if she's happily telling you about the extra children it sounds like she doesn't realise it's a problem.

Original poster
Nubbin · 22/06/2010 21:26

Even if the five year old is not counted she has her son (3) and the other two girls (2 and 3) - I thought the childminder's own children count or is that not right? (This is a sodding steep learning curve!)

OP posts:
KatyMac · 22/06/2010 21:23

Well if she is going against her registration the children will not be insured, plus she could be fined/closed down if OFSTED find out

Not really a safe choice - I think you have to mention someone

Assuming the 5yo in not counted in ratio, your dd is her under 1, so she could have 1 more under 5 - I wonder if she is double counting the under 1 plus the 2 under 5?