What is the usual ratio of CM to children?

[MegBusset]

Hi, we are looking into sending DS (12mo) to a CM if I return to work part-time. Just wondered how many other children a CM would normally be looking after at the same time? and would they generally be of a similar age?

They can be of all ages, depending on the CM's choice. Generally the maximum is 6 under 8 years, with no more than 3 of those under 5. Of the under 5s, there is usually not more than 1 under a year old allowed. If the CM has children of her own, then her numbers may be limited, depending on their ages.

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alittleone2 she may have a variation have a quick look at her certificate tonight on your way in/out it should be on disply.

normally a cm has 3 children under 5 during the day (i only have 2 which i like) then they may collect more children after school

my normal day is:
2yr old arrives at 7.30am with his 7yr old brother
5yr old arrives at 8am
6yr old arrives at 8.30am
9am take the 5,6,and 7yr old to school
9am pick up 2yr old from playground
1.30pm 2yr old who arrived at 7.30am goes home
3.10pm drop other 2yr old in playground with mum
3.10pm pick up between 6-8 children (some of these are over 8yrs old inc my own)
4.10pm 3 children are picked up
5pm another child goes
5.40 the final children go home

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my cms are married couple so have double the children!its lovely as there home is like a nursery and ds has lots of playmates.and on quiet days he has 2 cms to fuss him!

she should have a certificate
ask to see it, maybe she is not a registered cm

Next question: do CMs normally have set 'sessions' like nurseries, or is it generally flexible (allowing for school runs etc?).

Also DS has a few allergies connected to eczema (cow's milk & lentils, currently being tested for nuts, eggs and soya), do you think this would cause problems finding a CM to take him?

childminders are very flexible
they may have a sort of set routine ie toddlers on tuesday mornings but generely they are flexible

food allergys are fine i have one child allergic to eggs. one child who has fits. and one child who is no allowed beef
as long as the cm knows it should be fine and wont be held against you getting a place

ds cm is quite flexible.if weathers nice theyll drop plan to do baking for run on moors.

ds has cows milk allergy and is veggie and his cm have been great.when you start searching for cm this should be one of your first questions.someone linked to this the other day-has some cms in areas on it but not all

CMs work what hours suit them, and their families, eg I finish at 7pm on Tuesdays, so that parent can do a college course.

Some do overnight care, can cover shift patterns (a bit complicated sometimes) and early starts, weekends come at a premium ime.

AS far as accomodating allergies, the CM will work with each family to ensure diet is adhered too, lots of information gathering will take place when you first get together.

HTH

Am at no certificate

Unregistered CMs are really not the way to go, no OFSTED regulation, no insurance, no training, no first aid, eeek

Hope it's an abberation though cert must be displayed according to OFSTED

Sorry for lecture

alittleone2-mention youve read cms are supposed to have certificate up and wondered why yours doesnt.

Thanks for the responses, it's very helpful as I know next to nothing about childcare, had kind of assumed I would SAH but I have just applied for a p/t job on the spur of the moment, I guess we'll see what happens! Having read up on some threads, it sounds like if we found a good CM he would be just as happy as at home for 2 days a week.