Ratios when working with an assistant - does CM + assistant always have to be there?

[hamsgirl]

If a childminder is registered to work with 3 under 5s whilst working alone but 5 under 5s when working with an assistant, does the assistant and childminder always have to be there when there are 5 under 5s present?

What if, for example one of them went out to do the school run leaving the other with 5 under 5s on their own? Is that allowed?

Thanks in advance.

No it isn't allowed

The one that went on the school run would have to take the 2 children ensuring safe ratios

The certificate should say
"when working alone can have......"

"when working with an assistant can have......."

Thanks. That is what I thought but I wasn't sure if it applied for short trips out.

Yes, the certificate does say

When working alone...2 children under 5...

When working with an assistant...4 children under 5

(then she has one under five of her own).

Does anyone know what would happen if I was to report this (i.e. looking after 5 under 5 whilst the other one goes on school run)?

I was told recently when I asked questions about hiring an assistant on a CIS course that the children could not be left alone with an assistant at all(none of them...ever...that you had to be together all the time).....Put me off hiring.....hoping you are all going to tell me she was talking rubbish and I can re-consider???

Thanks
LS

Well as parents can leave children with unregistered people for up to 2 hrs it is reasonable that they can be left with a registered childminding assistant for the same time with the written permission of the parents.

BUT I would ensure the assistant had their first aid cert if leaving children with them (they should be CRB checked if they are a registered assistant anyway)

KatyMac I don't agree with your reasoning. As the 2 hour rule applies to care provided on the premises in any one day period, not who provides the care.

National Standard 6.3
"Children are under the direct supervision of the childminder or assistant at all times. Supervision should be sufficient to ensure that children are safe at all times."

It says Childminder OR Assistant. Thus children do not need to be in hearing/seeing distance of the childminder.

But Childminding Guidance says:
"Assistants are not registered in their own right and cannot be in sole charge of children."

So if the childminder is not present on the premises, that would seem to imply that the assistant could not be left with children.

EYFS mentions:
"If a childminder either employs an assistant or works with another childminder, the above numbers apply to each of these individuals in addition to the childminder."

Think a common sense approach may be needed. Get written permission from the parents for the assistant to be in sole charge of their child, for short periods of time such as the school collection. Then you can cite "working with parents" and "parents wishes" if Ofsted were ever to moan.

Thats interesting. Thanks

Sorry for thread hijack!

LS

My childminder has special permission from Ofsted to leave the children under sole charge of the assistant at times written and agreed in writing by the parents. It says this on her certificate.

This doesn't happen however but that's a different story.