Probably a really stupid question about ratios.....

[Runoutofideas]

I'm just in the process of registering as a childminder and have a couple of probably really basic questions.

1. Do four year olds in reception full-time count as under 5's or 5-8's?
2. If my 7 yr old dd had a friend round to play (unpaid for obviously) does the friend count in my numbers? What about if the friend had turned 8 yrs old?

Any answers gratefully received. Thanks.

A 4 year old in full school is classed as a 5-8 child. A friend of your DD will be included in your numbers even though you are not being paid for it.

Thanks Justanotherday. Does 5-8 include 8 year olds, or do they not count once they turn 8, or is it 9?

The group 5-8's doesn't really exist. Think of them and certificates read 'under 8s' and those on the early years. I'm just saying this to help you remember the rules.

So once they reach their 8th birthday they are then classed as an over 8.

If your dd's friend is 8 they are classed as an older one so they don't count in your under 8's ratio, but your insurance also limits the total number of kids, my insurance limit is 12 I think.

If you want to count a four year old in full time school in your 5-8 numbers, you need to have a paragraph on your certificate to that effect. I understand that OFSTED are putting that paragraph in automatically for new registrations (at least in our area) but that CMs who have been registered longer may need to apply for a new certificate to be issued with the wording included.

Thanks everyone - I'm still a bit confused though, sorry. 4 yr olds in full time school are still early years though, as would a 5 yr old be in reception. Is it really reception age and under, unless specified on your certificate, then under 8's? It makes a difference to me as dd2 is Aug born and in reception and I am likely to be looking after her friend after school who is the same age. From Sept onwards they will be 5 and in yr1 so will clearly count in my older group. And once my dd1 turns 8 next March she won't count in my numbers but will count for insurance purposes.... Is that right?

You still have to do the EYFS documentation etc on any children of 4 and 5 until the 31 August after they turn 5, but you can count them as 5-8s for your numbers. You could therefore have say three birth to four years and three 5 year olds and have to do your EYFS planning, records etc for all of them while they are all still under EYFS. I have to say I do the bare minimum for those of mine who are in full time school as I think they already have more than enough monitoring and reporting.