thinking of having an assistant, or working with another childminder!!!!!!!!!

[KiddieCare]

i am registered to care for 2 under 5 and 2 over, so how many more children could i be registered for if i take on an assistant or work with another childminder?

Hi KiddieCare

I am a childminder and work with our ex-nanny and our numbers don't change whether or not I work with her. It could be that I was newly registered though. She is now registering as a childminder to work from my home and it is my understanding that our numbers will increase then. Have you tried calling the NCMA?

Carmen

It will depend on the size of your house quite a bit. (ie, if you have a small space, then even if you have 10 adults, you still won't be able to to have extra children. However if you have enough space, facilities etc then they should increase. you will probably have to be re-inspected and they will then re evaluate your numbers.

I THINK this is right, please dont quote me on that!

I am allowed to have 3 under 5yrs, and 3 aged 5 - 8 years.

If I use my dh or dds as assistants, I can have 6 under 5yrs, but can then have no children in the 5 - 8 yrs group. I will only ever be allowed a maximum of 6 children under 8yrs - having an assistant just means that they can all be under 5yrs (God forbid!!)

Hope that makes sense!

Hi! I have written to Ofsted (as a registered childminder) to ask why there are other childminders in my area who are registered for 10 or more when working with an assistant. i myself work this way and have recently celebrated success as the inspector that came to see us agreed that we have enough space and resources for that amount of children. Again, as chloe says, it is down to space and resources, and you have to prove it to them when they come with floor plans etc....but it can be done. I did, but it was a lot of stress and a lot of ofsted! Unfortunately, you have to trawl thru all the other CM's in your area and find out who is registered for what....this is to prove to ofsted that they have been wrong in their judgement of your numbers. On the other hand, if you don't have the space etc then they will not register you for more. xxx