Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Flip

Original poster

Do any of you look after 4 under 3's at once

25 replies

woahthere · 28/05/2013 18:32

I have one morning that its ended up me having 4. It is hard, I wouldnt want to do it all day, but I super prepare myself, I have all the equipment I need, we stay home apart from the school run, but only because its a staying home morning anyway. I use this morning to do an observation if I can. The youngest one leaves at 1 and then in the afternoon after naps we go to singing and storytime at the library. Im not going to lie, it is exhausting but only because I work really hard in that time!
Is it ok for me to be doing this, do I need to justify myself to anyone?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

sunshine401 · 28/05/2013 18:39

Are you in England? If so then yes you have to justify yourself as it is against regulations !!!

Twinklestarstwinklestars · 28/05/2013 18:50

I will have 4 under 5 soon on mons and thurs for a few hours, I'll have my baby and my 3 year and 2 one year olds one day and a 1 & 2 year old the other day, it's not against regulations if its continuation of care or a sibling and you've properly risk assessed it.

It's hard work but worth it especially if they're similar ages, when I started my son was 3 months the others were slightly older (i had a variation for 2 under 1) but they're the best of friends now.

looneytune · 28/05/2013 19:01

I used to look after 4 aged 18 months and under when I returned after maternity leave with ds2. I needed a variation in place back then but now you can do it if it's for continuity of care i.e. extra days for existin mindee or siblings but you can't for new business. I'm presuming this is still the case (I'm a little out of touch as ds3 due in under 3 weeks and I took early maternity leave and as not returning, having kept up to date with all this talk of ratios changing).

Original poster

woahthere · 28/05/2013 19:07

Im really sorry, but I thought that as long as you could show that you could provide care for them that it was ok? The way it came about was that I signed up 2 new children -when we did the contract I was lead to believe by one that she was flexible on her day so thought we would just swap it, so we started on part time basis with both, but then by the time full contract was to start the lady decided she wasn't flexible after all. Rather than cancel one of them, I decided that as it was just one morning it would be ok. I am really worried now...what can i do...its not about the money, but I dont want to let anyone down.

OP posts:

Twinklestarstwinklestars · 28/05/2013 19:10

You would need to have a risk assessment on file to show ofsted and also you can't do it for new business, only continuity of care or siblings so I would say you probably shouldn't have but understand things can happen so not sure what ofsted would say maybe you should have given them a ring to check.

Original poster

woahthere · 28/05/2013 19:21

I have done a risk assessment, but now think may have been in the wrong. Im usually pretty hot on these things, but I was genuinely being told it was ok by other childminders..and I know one other that will be doing the same...however thinking about it...one will be sibling situation, so shes probaby ok.
Fark, what can I do...do I just have to get rid of one?

OP posts:

Twinklestarstwinklestars · 28/05/2013 19:26

Did the sibling start last or did you take on another after? If you took on the sibling last it'll be ok as you didn't go over with new business you went over to take on a sibling if that makes sense?

Original poster

woahthere · 28/05/2013 19:30

no not a sibling, sorry to confuse you

OP posts:

Original poster

woahthere · 28/05/2013 19:30

thats my friend...

OP posts:

makemeslim · 28/05/2013 19:41

If you contact ofstead and give them your details and circumstances they will grant a variation if they think its a suitable arrangement, i've done this in the past!!

Original poster

woahthere · 28/05/2013 19:49

Will I get into trouble!

OP posts:

Twinklestarstwinklestars · 28/05/2013 19:56

Ofsted don't grant variations anymore, you're responsible for it yourself. And you must follow the same rules they would have to grant them before and new business isn't one of them.

I would maybe leave it this time, document that you took them on for x days but this then changed and hope you're ok, sometimes these things happen.

HSMMaCM · 28/05/2013 21:08

What everyone else said about continuity of care. I have has several variations in the past and experience of 4 under 5 has taught me I will not increase my ratios on a permanent basis if/when the government allow it. It's too much for one person.

Original poster

woahthere · 28/05/2013 21:52

I think I've sorted it, feel sick that I've made this mistake. Hope that it all turns out well. I'm due an inspection and would hate to be judged for this because I work so hard and always try to be the best childminder I can be.

OP posts:

ReetPetit · 28/05/2013 21:57

i would give notice to one - i wouldn't risk it, especially as you are due an ofsted. is this what you've decided to do?

4 under 3 yrs sounds awful tbh!

breatheslowly · 28/05/2013 22:02

Could you get an assistant for that morning?

Original poster

woahthere · 29/05/2013 18:46

Ive given notice, and feel much better. Im so glad I posted on here as I didnt realise I was wrong, and feel quite stupid about it. Thank you.

OP posts:

squinker45 · 29/05/2013 21:56

If it's kids already on your books (or siblings) then it's ok, counts as continuity of care. We had to move one of our long term mindees to a day that meant we had 4 under 5 - under the variation rules it was fine. If we hadn't moved them they would have had to have changed minders ergo, continuity of care

ReetPetit · 29/05/2013 22:44

i think you've done the right thing woahthere

wednesdaygirl · 05/06/2013 13:26

If you get a assisstant can your numbers go up without asking ofsted?

I have 2 assisstants but still have 3 children because i havent asked ofsted about increasing numbers!

squinker45 · 05/06/2013 14:27

Yes, you don't need to ask anymore, just assess the situation yourself and record why you made your decision. Then Ofsted check it when they do the inspection.
How do you afford to pay 2 assistants with only 3 children?

KatyMac · 05/06/2013 14:28

Your assistants need a suitability check & CRB check from OFSTED, tho'

wednesdaygirl · 05/06/2013 15:43

Yes both ofted crb been doing few months ago when they started

beltsandsuspenders · 05/06/2013 17:23

I think you have to consider what would you do if there was an emergency - would you be able to cope?

debduck · 05/06/2013 20:34

I did it for 4 days a week and it's bloody hardwork. Thankfully I had a big car and 2 were very good walkers. As long as you check you have all the red tape sorted then dont worry. I wouldnt want to do it long term.

Flip