Going over allowed numbers in an emergency?

[Runoutofideas]

Hi,
I am newly registered and have picked up a few more children starting in September. I am allowed 4 children plus my own 2. I just have a query regarding what happens in unusual circumstances....

For example on one day a week I have a child who is with me for the school day from 9am but returned to parent at school at 3.15pm when I pick up another 3 children for after school care. In theory this means I still have one more after school place...but, what happens if daytime child's parent is late/unavailable to collect until later - even though they have not booked that time with me?

Do I have to not take on an additional after school child in case this situation arises to avoid going over my numbers? (I charge all children by the hours they book, not full/half day etc...) Thanks!

You can never go over the 6 under 8, unless it was an emergency like a cm friend had to go to hospital, a parent running late is not an emergency. You need to never work later for that parent or don't fill that place if it's likely to happen.

I agree, an emergency by ofsted means something which cannot be resonantly predicted and I would say that this could be. If the parent is running late then they should have a back up person to collect or agree with you that you will keep them, in which case don't fill the spot.

Thanks - seeing as the family haven't started with me yet, it is difficult to predict how reliable the arrangement is going to be. I think I'll have to not fill the spot for now and see how it goes. I may have to have a discussion with them over a back up plan for the 3.15 handover and explain to them that if i fill the afternoon slot I will never be able to help beyond 3.15pm and that if they need extra flexibility they will need to pay me til later to keep the slot open for them rather than someone else. Does that sound reasonable?

If they're paying til 3.15 they should collect at 3.15 you don't want to encourage them to be late, I would just see how it goes for a few weeks and of they're running over either charge a late fee or review the contract if they need more hours.

Run that sounds a very sensible option. After all why should you loose a space and money on the off chance that parent will be late?

Put a late fee in place then she won't be late if she is going to be charged . Why should you miss out on filling a place