CM CLUB: Variation on Numbers???

[looneytune]

Hi

I found out this morning that one of my parents is 4 months pregnant. Because her dd has just turned 1 and the other 3 are 3? & 1, I am full with under 5's every day. She wants me to find out if I can get a variation on my numbers for continuity of care for her dd, otherwise, she will have to find a new childminder who can take both children. She's been going through a clingy phase and I think we'd all prefer she stays where she's settled BUT what will Ofsted say???? Are they likely to let me have 1 more 3 days a week? There are not many childminders in my area so we're also worried she wouldn't be able to find a childminder who could take them both anyway.

Any advice? Anyone got a sample letter I could have a look at?

TIA

Diddle posted hers a while ago on this thread for me

That's great, thanks for that.

If anyone else has done a letter and would like to share it, I'd be very grateful. My circumstances are different to diddles (it's not me having another baby etc) so if I had a couple of examples, I could pick bits out of each.

Of course I am capable of writing a letter myself but it always feels better to use bits from a letter where Ofsted have said yes

So, what are they likely to say? REALISTICALLY!! Or is it a case of the usual, depends who reads your letter?!?!

here are bits from my letter i used to get a variation for 2 under ones. OFSTED sent me a leeter asking me to detail how I could care adequately for 2 under ones and the other children in my care both physically and emotionally.

I was only seeking a temporary variation but they gave me one for 2 under ones permanently. Still 3 under 5's in total though. HTH
I have one travel cot and the parents of one of the children will provide me with another one, so that there will be adequate facilities for the babies to take naps, providing separate cots and bedding for each in this manner. Both cots will be places in my bedroom which is sufficiently big for the purpose. My daughter will nap in her bed on the occasions she needs to do so.

I have several boxes of children?s toys, soft toys, and numerous books. We also visit the library and borrow books on a regular basis.

I have a sterilizer, a highchair and a suitable booster seat for the older of the 2 children I propose to look after, so that they can all be safely seated at the dining room table during meals. I have sufficient child cutlery and beakers so that each child can have their own.
As I have been caring for (counting my own children) 3 under 5?s the safety equipment is there to provide for this number of children.(such as door catches, stairgates, nappy changing facilities etc)

I have sufficient car seats suitable for the age and weight of the children in question. I have a double buggy suitable from birth to age 4, and a buggy board which fits it. This means that the 2 babies could be in the buggy and my 2.5 year old daughter could stand on the buggy board when she gets tired. (on the whole she prefers to walk now though) so I do not foresee a problem with transporting them. We are also close to bus routes so that we could also use these if necessary

We have the use of a playroom which has sufficient floor space to allow all the children to play. It also has a small child sized table and chairs to allow older children to draw, or play games at this in my sight without putting small pieces on the floor which may be unsuitable for the babies. In addition There is a 2nd living room, currently used as a room for quiet activities, and the dining table which can be used for similar purposes.

I have a garden which has push along toys/bikes and a play house for the younger ones, as well as a climbing frame and slide for the older children.

I am currently settling in the child who will start with me in September. The other child did settle well with me in June when I first cared for her and we would hope that she would do so again a second time.

Currently the children have similar mealtimes which fit well with the other children in my care. This means that I would only need to prepare meals once for all children. The mother of the younger baby, still proposes to provide me with food for her daughter, should the variation be granted. The second child will eat the type of foods currently given to the other children in my care. The babies, however, are napping at slightly different times. This I believe would allow me to give them more personal attention, as they would both have a period of time when the other was asleep to be given more concentrated attention. They are minute or two. If any child is in danger deal with them first. Then I would comfort any child who was hurt. I would then comfort the remaining child if necessary. Where possible I can pick up and cuddle 2 children at once provided I am sitting down, and as long as neither are hurt or ill, I think that distraction cuddles and a story or song are often enough to settle them
minute or two. If any child is in danger deal with them first. Then I would comfort any child who was hurt. I would then comfort the remaining child if necessary. Where possible I can pick up and cuddle 2 children at once provided I am sitting down, and as long as neither are hurt or ill, I think that distraction cuddles and a story or song are often enough to settle them again. Hopefully sitting and playing with them and the other children on the floor for the majority of the time, will avoid too many instances like this in any case. Attention, and distraction often prevent tears and squabbles over toys in any case and If I am constantly interacting with them I will be able to see when they are getting bored of an activity and it needs altering slightly to maintain their interest. Provided I choose activities that can be varied to suit the older children, or ensure that they are all in the same room, I can divide my attention as and when required to ensure that all children are playing purposefully.

I currently attend music songs and rhymes sessions and baby and toddler sessions, which I would propose to continue to do as it allows the children to interact with other children of varying ages, and introduces them to new toys/equipment and experiences to help their development.

I have had two different temporary variations over the last 3 years for 4 under 5's. You need to write to ofsted giving full details of the names & ages of the children on the specific days that you need the extension for. You also need to explain how you would manage 4 under 5's, what equipment you have, like doulble buggy with buggy board & how well the other child/children walk. Transporting in a car or on public transport if you use it. My latest one was for a four week period when I had 2 under ones, a 2 year old & a 4.5 year old. Fortunately for me the 2 year old loves walking & one of the babies was leaving at 1.30 each day so I didn't need to worry about the after school run & the 2 year old being tired. She could cope with the moring run easily but would have problems in the afternoon.
You only need to ask about 8 weeks before the variation is needed, but my latest came thorugh within 2 weeks. It usually says on your amended certificate that it is for named children (as per your letter) & until the eldest reaches five (full time school) or one leaves. You need to advise them when the variation is no longer needed so that they can reissue a certificate for your 'normal' allowances.

That's great, thanks so much The reason we want to think about this now is because this mum gave birth 2 months early last time and she's preparing herself for a possible birth in November rather than January. She runs her own company with her dh and intends to return to work ASAP after the birth. I really need to get an idea of how soon ASAP is. Weeks or couple of months??? If it's 8 weeks or over then I don't need to worry about the letter until after the birth. Just wanted to get as much info as possible for her.

Problem I have is I'm turning away work at the moment so want to know asap if I'll get the variation otherwise I'll be turning work away and then loosing this mum's first child if she has to go elsewhere. I'm moving house soon and need all the income I can get so I need to be careful not to be out of pocket (of course I have sort of planned for these things as our work is not guaranteed, just didn't expect it to all be about the time we move and start the new mortgage )