Under 5 number query

[Titchyboomboom]

I meet up with another childminder reguarly at the local park and something occurred to me the other day... she had 4 under 5's with her... a 1 yr old, 2 year old and 2 4 year olds... is this legal?

I am registered for no more than 2 in Early Years 0-5.

Concerned...

She could have a variation to have 4, I'm registered for 2 under 5 plus have my own ds but sometimes get variations if any need an extra day or if a parent is delayed etc.

Or one or both of the four year olds could be counted as an over 5 if they have started school full time (but maybe had a day out for an Inset day or whatever)

I am registered for 3 under 5's and I think that is quite standard. As minderjinx says, if one of the 4 yr olds is in full time school then they count in the older age group. My own dd is still 4 but has finished reception (August birthday) and I am still allowed 3 other little ones. Also she could have a variation for one, especially if the one yr old is a younger sibling of one of the older ones.

yep totally ok if she has a variation in place-I have 4 under school age every day-variations in place to cover continuity of care and siblings. From September, under the revived EYFS we can grant our own variation requests which should be interesting.........!!!!

I have a variation for 4 u dear 5s. If you know her postcode, you could probably find her registration details on the Ofsted website.

My three went to a CM part-time and as I had three children aged 1 yrs the CM took one of them and then got granted continuity of care to take the other two siblings. She already had a 2 yr old for the afternoon so effectively she had four children aged under 3 yrs! For me having multiples, it is often the only way I can get a CM to look after mine if they have a variation from Ofsted. Definitely can be done although it takes a very hard-working CM to do this IMO!!!!!!