1 extra 5-8 y/o

[vcf]

Hello all!
I've recently registered and have been looking after my first after school mindee for a couple of weeks now. I've had loads of enquiries for after school care (two local childminders are giving up childminding) and have taken some of these on to start in September. Last week, a friend asked if I would care for her two children (5 & 2) as her current childminder was no longer able to do the school run.

Now, this may mean that in September I may occassionally be one over in 5-8 age range. It would only be for two hours a day and possibly a maximum total of 5 days in a month (two of the mothers do shift work/work 2 weeks out of four)It wouldn't be during school holidays either as most of them don't need childcare then.

So, to put it in a nutshell, there would be, (including my own): 2 2-5 year olds and 5 5-8 year olds.

Does anyone think I may get a variation? The retiring childminder whose children I am taking on, said she was registered for 8 in total as she just did after school care.

Any advice? Thanks!

In England, maximum of under 8's is 6.
See National Standard 2.2
To exceed that amount you would need to co-childmind.
8 and over don't count in ratio.
However, I have seen a certificate allowing a childminder to care for 7 children, so you never know you may find that Ofsted permit this, even though it breaches standard 2.2.

Whyatt v OFSTED is a case to look at. The tribunal said "The relevance to this case is that if the Applicant were to succeed in her application, she would have a registration certificate allowing her to take up to 7 children." - "We cannot see that Ofsted have any discretion to allow a variation that would potentially allow a childminder to care for more than the maximum number specified in the National Standards namely 6."

if you have had your next inspectioj y then i would think they would be more inlcined to up your ratios, put it in a letter to them explaining how you plan to care for this amount and that your younger ones will NOT receive less attention.good luck