Childminder with three under 18 months - good idea?

[geri32]

There’s a local childminder who seems to have a nice setting and has good reviews. However, if DD went there, she would be one of three under 18 months and it’s giving us a bit of pause for thought, as the CM only has one set of hands and it is such a high intensity age! Should we look elsewhere?

In fact most childminder ratios can be tweaked with a good risk assessment and careful planning, that's allowed and it's self regulated, no need to inform ofsted. Saying that, if a serious incident occurred, one if the first things they'll look at is whether your ratio contributed to it.

The only very hard and fast one that can never ever be broken is 6 children under 8 years of age.

Yes you can! I used to do 3 early years and we’d go and pick up my 2 from school plus another.

Exactly this - most childminders are responsible and know what they’re capable of. There have been times I’ve extended to 4 early years because a parent has needed an extra day or because of twins. It used to be called “continuity of care” or coc rule.

When i was a childminder I doing having 3 about the same age the best. We'd get in a routine. They'd all be at a similar interest level with toys etc
I found it worked best. They will have experience, maybe ask them how they deal with certain circumstances. I had 2 13 month olds and a 3 month old to look after sl at one point. No issues at all

I'm a childminder and would have 3 under 18 months- But I've been minding for over 25 years and have looked after twins in the past plus another child similar in age.