Childminder ratio query

[JadeTC]

I'm currently looking at childminders and spoke to one yesterday who said she typically looks after 4-5 children a day. These are all below the age of 5, she mentioned there are two siblings in her care too.
Does this sound ok in terms of ratios? She would be looking after my two children aged 11 months and 2.5 years (they would be within the 4-5 children, not in addition to!). I'm a bit confused by what I've read about ratios for childminders and know there have been changes and perhaps proposed changes to come. Her most recent ofsted report was good with a couple of areas rated as outstanding.

Would appreciate some help from current childminders or those that understand ofsted regs. Thanks!

Childminders in England

A childminder may care for a maximum of six children under the age of 8. Of these six children, a maximum of three may be young children and there should only be one child under the age of one (a child is a young child until 1st September following their 5th birthday).

This is the ratio .

Thank you @Mrsjayy

Just in addition to that, exceptions are allowed for siblings own babies being born etc. The only non negotiable rule is no more than 6 under 8 years.

Thanks @KateyCuckoo that was what was confusing me a little. So theoretically the childminder could have 5 under 3s if there are a couple of sibling sets within that. And as long as she can demonstrate that she is able to look after and meet the needs of all children.
Is that right?

Correct

Thank you @KateyCuckoo 😊

The normal ratio is as above 3 under 5 of which 1 under 1 no more than 6 under 8 .....but....
The exception to ratio are confusing the examples given apply but according to Ofsted are examples from a non exhaustive list and they have no view on new business....
But the cm must risk assess, be able to meet the needs of all children, provide activities that support development, have the physical room space .....
It's a very grey area.

Personally if the children are all older ie 3 and introducing a baby I'd say 4 isn't too bad (assuming a big enough premises and experienced childminder who can talk you through how she meets needs etc) if there are younger children already I wouldn't do it.

Thanks for your response, I appreciate the advice @jannier

I know rules changed as cm
On here think @jannier said about it a while back

Used to be 3 under 5 and 6 under 8

Know can have a continuation of care if sibling so 4 under 5

Didn't know had gone to 5 under 5

It's not just continuity of care or siblings own baby....and it is never more than 6 under 8....but all the other things must be met and parents informed and not a permanent thing. It's a minefield and of course if on inspection if you have one thing go wrong like a child needs extra attention you can be graded inadequate

A lot depends on the age of the children. 5 three & four year olds is manageable. 5 under 2s is unsafe.

It's fairly recently gone to 5 under 5 and is not something I would do personally. I've been looking after 4 for a while because one was my own, and nearly every childminder I know has at least 4 so I'll continue to do that when mine is in childcare too. Lots of childminders around me are having 5 but I see it as very limiting, I could fit 5 car seats in my car and do when I have school age children too, but just getting 4 out the door to go places is A LOT! I'd end up staying home alot more I think.

It's not 5 under 5 it could actually be 6 under....if your house is big enough....do all these CMS have floor space?

Back in the day the exceptions had to be signed-off by Ofsted individually. You'd write in saying you wanted to care for twin siblings who were nine months old, explaining how you could fit that around what you were doing with other children, and you'd get a new certificate printed that had an amended "condition" on it saying you were registered to have e.g. two under one year olds three days a week.

It was more admin, but at least there was an acknowledgement that it wasn't always okay to just keep adding in more children/bending the standard rules, it'll be fine. Plenty of childminders would turn down a child knowing they couldn't safely and properly care for that may extra children, but others wouldn't, and then before you know it they've got four 18-24 month olds and a baby single handed.