Thinking about ratios

[Graea]

I think I have to deal with a childcare situation but will keep this theoretical rather than needing personal advice.

But would like guidance on CM ratios more broadly. I think there may be a grey area with the continuity of care 'exceptional circumstance'.

Say you originally booked a place for M-Thurs then asked to extend to Friday. The say there is another young child already taking a place for Friday only; both are under 1 but the continuity exception means you can be given a place.

The the parents of the Friday baby ask to extend to Mon-Thurs. Is this also covered by the continuity exemption?

If so, the following situation could arise under the current framework: 5 babies under 1 each take a different day place for one day a week. Then each goes to 3, then 5 days a week, all under the continuity exemption, subject to the carer having assessed the risk. Surely this was not the original intention?

I also wondered whether the insurance covers children subject to OFSTED compliance, or whether it may have more strict criteria. It could be that the insurer & OFSTED disagree on what constitutes compliance.

Could someone with knowledge in this area advise? Really, really need some help to cut through the online guidance which I haven't found clear.

• Then x 2

So ... 5 babies under 1, each come on different days, 1 day per week. then all 5 decide to go full time and you suddenly have 5 under 1. You will still be no more than 6 under 8 and will have provided continuity of care for all 5. However ... it would be pretty hard to show Ofsted how you have risk assessed this for outings, fire escape, etc, in which case it wouldn't be allowed. It would also be hard to show how you provide care for them all - all the extra cuddles, carrying, etc needed for babies. It is pretty unlikely that this would happen though. I would certainly tell a few of the parents I didn't have space on the extra days.

So, I think my answer is, yes, but no :)

Thanks!

I agree - but where exactly is the line? It's difficult if there's nothing to point to & my CM and I just have different opinions :-(

A CM never has to increase days if they don't want to (for any reason). Any going over ratios for continuity is supposed to be discussed with all parents.

From the statutory framework 2014 - 3.42. If a childminder can demonstrate to parents and/or carers and Ofsted inspectors or their childminder agency that the individual needs of all the children are being met, exceptions to the usual ratios can be made ... But in all circumstances, the total number of children under the age of eight being cared for must not exceed six.

"Any going over ratios for continuity is supposed to be discussed with all parents."

Thanks - this is exactly what I need. Much, much appreciated.

Gaea assume from your post you have a child under one with your childminder and she has taken on another baby under one ,on your days.
She has obviously risk assessed, feels it is safe, and she can provide good care for all the children.
You obviously disagree. Have you seen her risk assessment?, have you discussed it with her?
She provides a service of you are not happy give notice.

I suppose it raises the question: how many babies can one person care for at the same time?
Two is certainly possible.
Three is doable.
Four is a lot harder (I once knew someone with quads).
How many is s nursery allowed? 1:3 ratio?

Thanks - I think communication is probably the overriding issue.

I think the PP is reading more between the lines than I intended; neither positioned mentioned above is 'obvious'. It helps to know the details of the framework so thanks again both.

Agree though that 2 under 1 is perfectly doable.

All the CM needs to do is demonstrate how she will manage. A parent cannot tell her not to do it. They can give notice if they're not happy though.

I was in this situation. Discussed my concerns about continuity of care with childminder and said it was totally her decision but I would be giving my notice to find another childminder unfortunately if she did take them on as it wasn't what I had wanted for my child when he started with her. He was the one going five days a week, the other two additional children were joining for a couple of days each separately and I felt the impact would fall mainly on him with no gain for him or me in the arrangement. She was already at her official max under 5 and these would have been continuity of care exemptions. On balance, she decided given she'd be losing more money from my departure than their addition, it didn't make sense financially. And I would have followed through on what I said as I was paying more than her base rate because I really wanted to show I appreciated that she was keeping her numbers reasonable. I would have found a minder who charged a little more but kept the numbers lower.

This is my issue with this section of the eyfs, it is such a grey area. A cm could end up with 6 little ones to look after, but my DH is not allowed to take responsibility of his own children to give me (a cm) an extra place while I'm working. (Cm own children automatically fill the places, this is apparently non negotiable, regardless of where the children are or if they have another parent there to look after them.)