CMs - Changing ratios on certificate when ds turns 8

[looneytune]

DS1 turns 8 in a few weeks and I've finally purchased my 8 seater car after much searching. I phoned Ofsted and asked the procedure for changing my certificate and they said I have to phone up on his birthday (or after) and they'll update and reissue a certificate. This is slightly annoying as I have 2 families who are dead keen to add days ASAP. His birthday is a Monday and 1 family wants mindee to start on the Wednesday and the other on the Thursday. I don't think I'll get my new certificate by the Wed if I can't call til the Monday? But I'm happy to work as long as I see the update online (it should be on there straight away or the next morning I believe).

I just wondered if any of you had a similar situation where you wanted to start working with extra soon after your child's birthday which changed the ratios? If so, did you find they updated it all pretty quick?

TIA :)

Call a fortnight before and a week before.

As you know, it depends who you speak to

There is on online variation form on the Ofsted website. Try completing that with the date you want the change to be effective from and add a note to say you need the certificate by x date if at all possible. Worth a go & they'll only make you fill in the same form when you do phone on his birthday anyway. If you can't see the form email them and they'll send it to you as an attachment

HSMM - good point LOL, will try that.

As for variation form, they told me I just had to phone and that was it but I'll get that in writing. Seems stupid to get me to do a form for my own son when they've had his date of birth on their system since I started nearly 6 years ago!!!

Trouble is you need to speak to the person who will up-date your certificate on the day of his birthday - I have found it is sometimes difficult to be put through to the correct person. It's a pain that they can't do this in advance for you and say effective from a certain date. I haven't had this situation myself - must admit I can't remember what happened when my daughter started school full-time)only 2and half years ago - memory like a sieve).

I know a CM who didn't realise Ofsted cert needed updating when DS became 8. Took on extra DCs knowing she could. Became apparent a new cert was needed when on the phone to Ofsted about something else weeks later. They didn't seem overly bothered and just re-issued cert.

As looneytune (OP) says, it's all pretty academic anyway since Ofsted know DoBs of mindees children and could quite conceivably print and post a pre-dated certificate showing updated information in advance. I wonder if that might happen one day?

I had a bit similar situation ... my little one was turning one in a couple of weeks and I had a baby starting around that time. I called them on his birthday and asked for the amendment she did it there and then and said it's valid straight away ... the certificate arrived two days later by recorded mail.

I had an inspection a few weeks before my eldest's birthday and mentioned in passing that I would have to apply to get my numbers changed. I got a new certificate in the post with increased numbers effective straight away, with no mention of having to wait a couple of months. They are definitely a law unto themselves. I didn't take on anyone else immediately, but I wonder what would have happened if I had.

Thanks everyone. I'm going to phone again and ask to speak to an inspector or someone from the team who make the changes! :) Yes, they just make the rules up as they go along don't they!!