CM Club - Ok folks hows the ole variation lottery been recently???

[childminder90210]

THinking I may need to apply for a variation to have 4 under 5 s for 4 hours 1 day a week have had a variation before but was a few years ago now, just wondering if anyone has applied recently and is it still as much of a lottery as it used to be TIA :)

I have applied recently. Took me 3 attempts (3 different Ofsted people) to get roughly what I wanted. As soon as the paperwork arrived a parent asked to change their hours! so I'm back to the drawing board. I have found it fairly straightforwared to get a simple 4 under 5s to take a sibling, or extend a child's hours/days.

Thank you for your reply very helpful and hope you get your situation sorted :)

I'm a new CM and got a variation for an extra 1 under 1 - took sending the forms in 3 times as well as a visit from an inspector (who then asked the same questions as were on the forms ) to get it though.

I requested one late last year, it took a while to explain what I needed, but they automatically sent the certificate with the variation within 2 weeks of application.

To be honest its one area I have no complaint with, I have always had different variations and the only time I had a problem was when they switched it to filling in the form, the first one I sent online took a long time but otherwise no problems.

Rosiegirl - is the form on the Ofsted website, as the last time I did a variation I had to write a letter not fill a form in :( TIA

Same as Rosiegirl.

As for the form, I can't remember if it's on the website but if not, you can give them a quick call and they will email it to you. They definitely need the form now as I've done detailed letters and then told to fill the form in instead!

Thanks - its only gonna be for 4.5 hours one day a week and I have had a variation before, but I know these things were very hit and miss as to whether they were given or not. thanks for all the info

I struggled to find the form online so 'phoned OFSTED who emailed it to me.
Then I filled it in and emailed it back marked urgent. i got it approved the next day and cert. arrived 3 days later!!

Grr...rang Ofsted earlier to chase up my amended certificate and they say they 'have no record of the paperwork being sent in by the inspector' so will chase it up today.

I can't earn any bloody money until I get it, I should ring them back and point out they're failing my daughter under ECM as she can't 'achieve economic wellbeing' if I'm not earning any money!

Give them a ring and they will send you it electronically or via the post if your prefer. You can then fill it on-line and e-mail it back.

Just a thought, as it is something I have done myself, keep a blank copy on file so that you can use it again.

have applied for five variations in last two years and have helped four other childminders apply in last few weeks all have been granted however I would definitely recommend sending via email as you get an email telling you they have received it so if it goes astray they can retrieve it easily or you can resend it. Turn around time at the moment seems to be only two weeks with some taking few hours.

This is all good info, received the form via email this afternoon so now to just fill it in!!!!!