CM Club - I don't know what to do

[Jensmum]

I had a meeting with my mindees mum last week about what would happen when her eldest goes to school. It really doesn't look good and I don't know what to do.

I'm registered for 2 under fives and at the moment just have her 2 (2yrs & 3yrs) the eldest starts nursery class in september and turns 4 in October. I can't justify losing £50 a week by keeping the space open but niether of us are happy with her paying a retainer. If I can't keep the space open then she's taking them both out of my care and sending them to private nursery as she wants them to be together in the hoidays. I understand completely where shes coming from but I don't know what to do.

I've spoke to OFSTED and they've said that my certificate won't change until dd turns 5 (July 07) and as mindee will be in nursery not reception I can't class him as over 5

If this would of come up a couple of months ago I would of just agreed to end the contract as we had a few problems - but now the kids really enjoy coming here and understand my boundaries (well most of the time) I get cuddles and everything now. I hate making decisions, if I keep the space open then I still get to work part time but lose money, if I don't I can take on new mindees earn at least twice as much as I do now but will probably have to work full time.

Once the eldest goes to school she will only need me to have him for 4 half days a week for about 7 weeks a year.

How long does a variation take?

[Katymac]

When does your DD start Reception (for whole days not half days)?

[Jensmum]

September

[Jensmum]

She'll be on full days from the start because she's been at the nursery class at the same school since last September.

[Katymac]

So in Sept - she will be a rising 5 (& counted as an over 5, won't she?)

Does that help with your numbers?

[Katymac]

Or is that irrelevant? I'm a bit dopey today (bad cold)

[Jensmum]

That's what I thought but my certificate will still state 2 under 5.

When I spoke to OFSTED they told me to put it in writing, she wasn't even willing to answer any questions about my numbers, a big change from when I first registered they were really helpful then

[mumlove]

Put it in writing about freeing your dd space in sept. but put the dates in of when she will start full time, and that you need to know by xx date so you have time to disscuss arangements with current mindees mum about their places. when ofsted have received your letter someone should phone you and talk to you about it.
This is what I done.

[Jensmum]

Sorry katymac I cross posts then. I thought I'd be ok classing her a rising 5

Mumlove did it take long?

[mumlove]

My dd was 5 in the oct, but she didn't start full time school until after the half term in nov. I think time wise it was about a month that it took from when I wrote letter and they phoned. then about another 2 weeks for my new cetificate to get to me.
But a childminder in our group has had a variation done in 1 week. so i think it just depends on when you need it by and who deals with it. that is why i said make sure you put a date down that you need to know by.