Ratios for new EYFS

[Justanotherday]

Am I correct in thinking that as of Sept a CM can have their own baby/toddler as well as 3 other under fives. If not, I am confused. Please help.

As far as I know ratios stay the same just that you will be able to grant your own variations as long as they meet the criteria that you have to meet now.

Not strictly true.

If you have another baby whilst already caring for 3 under 5's then you can continue to do so under continuity. Not a blanket rule of 3 plus your
Own though.

The current numbers on your certificate will remain the same.

I am guessing yours says may care for no more than 5 children under 8 of which no more than 2 may be in the early years age group and of these not more than 1 may be under 1.

What will happen is that where as at the moment to change your requirement to add extra children due to a parent changing hours or having a new baby you have to fill in a variation form for approval by ofsted what will happen is you will have to risk assess and discuss with all parents the situation and if appropriate may take an extra under 5 providing your over all number of under 8's is not exceeded.

Agree with what the others have said, as long as you meet the requirements then you'll be allowed to care for an extra under 5 without a variation printed on your certificate. Having said this, point 3.40 of the revised EYFS clearly states this is for SIBLING BABIES or a CHILDMINDER BABY so not for new business and even for extra hours/days for 'continuity of care'. I've actually raised the last point with Ofsted who have said the wording came from Department for Education and that yes, the wording says nothing about the current continuity of care example and they suggest I raise it with them (but they will also look into it more). I've passed this on to my Early Years adviser and am waiting for her advice. I'll post a link to my thread which shows the reply from Ofsted.....

Here's the link

Ok thank you, that helps me understand. One last question then, if I have just taken on a two and a half year old, does it matter how long I have had LO for before I can take on baby sibling. Mum has been given a job offer early then she thought she would go back to work so LO started with me in the last few weeks and job starts Oct/Nov so would mean LO has been with me for 5/6months before sibling starts. IS THIS ALLOWED?

No time restrictions, just that it is a sibling and you meet the criteria for space etc.

Anyone know what happens if you've already been registered for two under 1 year?

I currently and am if I can now only do it for continuity or siblings that means my efforts to get my registration changed were pointless.

as far as I have been told you will be able to carry on as you are Timandra besides even if your certificate reverts back you would do same as above risk assess based on continuity of care. I have two under 1's too.

Timandra - do you mean for continuity of care or for new business too? AFAIK we will all get new certificates that will have the standard conditions with our own children taken into consideration, and no longer have any other conditions added. So if you currently have 2 under 1s then you should be fine but not for new business. Having said that, as you'll see from my other thread, the 'continuity of care' is being looked into as they only state for 'sibling babies' or if a childminder has a baby, nothing else mentioned so as far as the 'wording' goes, it's not clear yet.

I only childmind one baby at the moment but I have a friend who has a baby who I care for sometimes as a favour while she is sorting some issues with her older child. I don't think that would count under continuity of care so maybe I won't be able to do it any more

Timandra do you log the other baby in your attendance register even though you're not being paid? I got a variation to have my niece one day when I wasn't getting paid but because I normally have her it still counted.

No I don't log it because I'm not childminding him. I am overdue an Ofsted so perhaps I'll raise it with the inspector.

I just wish they'd taken some time to think these things through. They know they have a certain number of childminders registered for two under 1 year. They should have clarified it in the document.

I don't know about other people, but I log all children and adults in my register. Even if my DD has a friend over after school, they go in the register. These additional children count when we are minding, so the ratios should be shown ... shouldn't they?

I log everyone too as they still count in your numbers.