Too many kids?

[ferfuxake]

My childminder (who I really really like and have always been very happy with) has recently taken on some new children. She doesn't have them all for the whole day - lots of nursery and school drop-offs and pick-ups - but at the end of the day she has a 1 year old, four 3 year-olds, a 5 year-old and a 7 year-old .

They all seem happy enough when I collect and I am pretty confident in her ability to keep them all happy, occupied and fed at her house; what worries me more is the (admittedly short) journeys to and from from school, nursery etc. It just doesn't seem that safe to be shepherding that many small children along the pavement and I worry that it will only take a small lapse of concentration for one of them to step out into the road.

I really don't know what to do. I like her and so do the kids. I have asked if the current situation is long term and she has confirmed it is. Should I be looking for another childminder or am I being over-protective?

Grateful for any views.

If she is in England she is definitely not allowed more than 6 under 8 and is not usually allowed more than 3 under 5 (but certain circumstances allow this). She should be able to explain her risk assessment for school runs, but in any event should never ever have more than 6 under 8 on her own.

Does she have an assistant working with her? Is her DH perhaps registered or taking care of their kids so they don't count in her ratios?

At a glance she shouldn't have that many but she may not be working alone.

If she has any children who attend school they count as an older child (ie not in the Early Years age group). This section is from the EYFS Framework, section 3.40:

"If children aged four and five only attend the childminding setting before and/or after a normal school day, and/or during school holidays, they may be cared for at the same time as three other young children."

Your childminder might have an assistant or other CM's that she works alongside during her working hours.

I think you should be honest and voice your concerns to her as if she isn't doing anything wrong she should be able to show you risk assessments and Ofsted confirmation etc. which clarifies her numbers in order to reassure you.

You'll probably find that many childminders have a lot of before and after school children-I have 10 on a tuesday and wednesday (my insurance covers me for 12)!
I've been minding for 14 years and if I didn't think I was capable of caring for that many children, then I wouldn't have them.The other parents don't have a problem with it-in fact they see it as a positive because the children have others to play with.
I also think it depends on the age of the children.I only have 2 pre schoolers on those days and all the others are aged between 6 and (nearly) 11 so they're not likely to suddenly step into the road.On the school run,they all know what is expected of them-no running too far ahead etc-and I know which one's i can 'trust' more than others (for example,one child has sensory issues so he stays close to me).
By all means raise the issue with your minder and have a chat about your concerns but if she's a good minder and your child is happy,I wouldn't remove them. Accidents can happen no matter how many children there are.

4 3yr and a baby is too much unless has help but if she did then surely you would know

Wow at possibly having 12 before and after - is that over 8's?

The 12 includes all children whatever their age but not the minders own children as they are not covered by insurance.

Average cm is allowed 3 under 5 and 6 under 8 - so 3 rising 5/5-8's - plus another 6 over 8's - is that right?

Yes thats right-or 12 over 8's if you fancy it instead of 6 under 8 and 6 over.!