Are the rules/regs the same all over the country?

[PillockOfTheCommunity]

anyone know?
Ofsted rules etc
(first aid/food hygiene)

.

The standards for childminding are the same across England but when you have an Ofsted Inspection, it is the observations of the inspector on the day that count.

With first aid, for example, I know childminders have got an unsatisfactory for not keeping their first aid up to date. Another got a satisfactory despite not having a current first aid and it was just noted as a recommendation to update it. Possibly because they work with another childminder who has a current certificate. So there appear to be inconsistencies across the country although the rules we have to follow are the same iyswim.

food hygiene - its a legal requirement for all childminders to register with their local authority's Environmental Health. As its done by the local council, the process for registering will vary across England. Some will send a form, some will inspect you, some haven't done anything yet. This is separate to your Ofsted inspection but still relevant for discussion at inspection rethe "keeping children healthy" section if you've registered with EH and/or chosen to do food hygiene course.

HTH
Any particular reason for asking?

yes, I love my childminder, she's excellent and has every qualification she needs

My mother (who I don't get on with particularly well) has registered as a childminder in another county without a first aid qualification, and seems to have ridiculously high child numbers too.

Of all the things you can have, I'm sure First Aid is a MUST. Also, the limit is 6 children under 8, of which only 2 can be under 5.

so I was just wondering how it could be so different across the country, or if it isn't really and she's pulled some strings with people she knows.

It is 6, 3 under 3 and 3 over.
Thing is, she has 2 adopted daughters, who although they are over 6 years old, their mental ages are not, which surely should be taken into consideration?

There are occasions when Ofsted will allow a variation of 3 under 3, but it does sound odd. It doesn't sound like shes following the rules tbh. She could have been told to advise Ofsted when she's got her first aid, but they wouldn't have let her register unless she had proof that she was going to do it, I don't think.

There are occasions when Ofsted will allow a variation of 3 under 3, but it does sound odd. It doesn't sound like shes following the rules tbh. She could have been told to advise Ofsted when she's got her first aid, but they wouldn't have let her register unless she had proof that she was going to do it, I don't think.

I take it we are talking English county? Because Scotland and Wales are both different.

8 would be the age above which the adopted daughters would not be counted

Mo its 3 under 5, not 2 love.

I have 3 under 5 (in fact 3 under 2) and a 4 (almost 5, full time at school so counts as 5) and a 5 (almost 6) and a 9 year old.

I had a variation fr the four year old for September to January as she was only at school in the mornings, so didnt count as 5 till January.

You can register as a childminder without a first aid certificate but you MUST do a specific 12 hour paediatric first aid course within 6 months of becoming registered.

With regards to numbers it's as previously said - 3 under 5, of which only one can be under 12 months. and 3 between 5&8 years. You can get variations, especially in the case of siblings. Unfortunately, Ofsted don't take in to account the mental ages of the kids that you care for, unless it becomes a problem and is reported as a problem, and then investigated, IUSWIM.

I knew that, didn't! I was thinking of my own little people. I've only had two under 5 for so long, I'd forgot I could have 3!

POTC - If it helps, if your mother is in England, you may be able to obtain her registration details via the Ofsted Website. Go to the Inspection Reports section, enter her full postcode and make sure provider type is Childminders. Click Go - and the top result is most likely going to be her... as the results are listed by distance from the postcode.

Agree with Chel... don't think Ofsted takes account of children's mental ages, just their Date of Birth.

My family and I are just really, really hoping that any prospective parents will see that her house is totally unsuitable for small children and run a mile. sadly, I know that there are parents out there that might not

now I'm left with a dilemma, is there anything I can do about it? and if there is, should I?