URGENT advice needed from you experienced CMinders PLEASE!!

[MummaBear]

I am new to posting but not new to Mumsnet, so please forgive me if this is long winded.

I will try and simplify the situation. I have 3 mindees. Mindee1 and Mindee2 are with me for two days of the week on the same days. Mindee3 I have on two different days. In January I will be taking on Mindee1's sibling. I will therefore have to lose Mindee2 on those days. Mindee2's parents have asked if I could have her on one of the days that I look after mindee3, as I have the space this should not be a problem. However, mindee3's parents would like to keep the ratio as is and are prepared to pay for the privilege. I adore Mindee2 and my son gets on with her very well. I also adore Mindee3 but she is a bit younger than my boy although they still enjoy each other. My heart says to have Mindee2 with Mindee3 ( I could risk losing Mindee3 if I go this route) and my head says to take the offer of more pay.
What would you do???

I'm not very good at getting what days people have who, but I think I'v got this one! Why would you risk loosing Mindee3. Do the parents pay you not to have anyone else?

cant understand why you are moving mindee 2 to have mindee 1 sibling!
surley mindee 2 was there first
do you have your own young child? could you write to ofsted for a vary as new mindee will be a sibling?

I would do as dmo says ask for a variation for the sibling, usually you will get it for siblings.

if not unless mindee3 parents are prepared to pay for two spaces, thay cant dictate that you cant take anyone else on the days you have him/her.

having used a childminder i am surprised at this. when you have a childminder you know it is essentially 'shared' care. the mum is being unreasonable i think. but ask the registration people about keeping the new baby and mindee 1 & 2 together - they will have a bond won't they?

Same as dmo - if you have your own child making you only being allowed these numbers, the usual thing would be to ask for a variation to take on the sibling for 'continuity of care' if you are happy to have the extra child.

Thanks for replys! Mindee3's parents will want to pay to have no one else, although could work out quite expensive for them.
dmo- I could write to Ofsted for a vary - didn't think about that. Do you think Ofsted would consider that as it is a sibling? Just not sure I want to have 4 kids (have own child, just over two) on two days of the week all under 2.5 yrs old. Think it will be too hard? Also Mindee1 I have had the longest, so it is only natural that I take sibling?

i would write to ofsted but while doing that explain to mindee 3 mum the situation and explain that it would be good for mindee 3 to mix with other children other than your ds and that mindee 2 is well settled in your routine and adding mindee 2 to mindee 3 days would not be a big up heavel

I would agree that 4 under 2.5yrs would be extremely hard work....speaking from experience of 3 that age myself...
My son is 27mths, and mindee's 14mths and 18mths and i find it hard with three of them getting out and about, carseats/buggies.......
In the home is fine and they are all really lovely/happy children in general, just the whole 'routine' thing is full on! I do it 11 hrs a day 3 days a week with this age......

Agree. But if you really don't think you'll manage and you don't want to OR Ofsted say no, I'd tell the other one that you are trying to make sure no child suffers having to leave, it's kind of them to offer to pay double for the space but it would be unsettling for mindee 2 to have to go somewhere else. If they decide to remove their child then they aren't being very fair on them are they. But still, at least you haven't got rid of someone that way!

Would you CMinders have a 6 month old, a 18th month old, a 2 yr old and my son who is 2.4 old.... for two days a week. Logistically we won't be able to do much?? Please try and talk me into it, as I would just like to please every body.

Looney I agree with you! It will almost make it bearable if they decide to take Mindee3 somewhere else. I don't feel it is fare on other children really. They should consider a nanny then?

I do it sometimes, with that many and so does Shosh, HOWEVER, neither of us small children of our own anymore, so when the mindees go home, the work stops.

mumma i have a 21 month, 13 month and 11 month 7.30-4.30 5 days a week and a 4, 5 and 8 year old before and after school everyday, it is knackering, but as Mo says I have no kids at home, so work stops at 5.30

If OFSTED will give you variation then I'd do it. Admittedly you'll be limited as to where you can go out to but that doesn't mean you won't be able to do much.

mummabear- i have a ds 3yrs so only have 2 extra under 5's @ a time and i find that ENOUGH!!!! it's esp. hard work when you are looking after your own child too - so myself i wouldn't ask for the variation - also if parents want to pay you double pay it seems daft to not take it - but its very hard to juggle all these part-timers and seems a terrible shame to lose mindee 2 that you love. . . sorry i don't think i helped at all