Hi,
At present I care for 3 after school children (1 being over 8) and 1 part-time 1 year old whose mum is a shift worker. Two of my own children are included in my numbers (the others being older) their ages are 2 and 7. Therefore I am full with after schoolchildren (none before school) and have 1 full time space and a part-time space which I can't really use as days differ each week.
I have been approached by a mum looking for care of a 1 year old and 5 year old. 1 year old is no problem as I have a full time space available.
Baby of shift-worker has part-time hours (maximum of 20 per week-different days and hours each week). Quite often hours are 7.30a.m. to 3.30 p.m. in which case the mum can meet me at school and take baby from me which would free up a space for the new 5 year old. However, there are occasions when she needs me between the hours of 2p.m. til 6.p.m. This would of course take me over my numbers for one and three quarter hours. Do you think there is any chance at all that Ofsted would allow this?
I did think about using an assistant for that time but don't know if they would increase my numbers because I have an assistant anyway.
If not I have thought about asking a childminder friend if she would be able care for little one for those times. This childminder is cutting down her times of childminding so she does have spaces. That is if mum is agreeable.