CM Club: i might have an overlap with school starters in Sept and other under 5s....

[Numberfour]

Has anyone else had experience of getting a variation for this type of situation and was OFSTED understanding about it?

I have verbal confirmation that two reception year children will be starting with me in September and both will need collection at 12ish. That means, at the moment, a 2 hr 45 min overlap with one of my other under 5s. I am interviewing Friday and Saturday (yay!!!) for another under 5 to start in June. If one of these little ones come to me then I will be overlapping for 3 or 4 days of the week for the same period of time til January.

I cannot afford to turn the work away and I am 100% confident that I can manage and care for the children during that overlap time.

I wil obviously be asking for a variation.

My question is that surely there are many childminders how have had this situation before - was OFSTED understanding and were you able to get a variation?

I've never had a problem getting a variation for September - January had one most years as mindees have gone on to school.

Loony has had the same as well.

(and my variation was for the whole afternoon. everyday.

great news! thanks, shoshe. i have had variations before for shorter periods, but i think i will do the same as you - 5 days a week - just in case.

It does make 4 under 5's not 5 tho dosnt it?

N - 5 in Jan 2010 - 5 days a week
A - 5 in April 2010 - 5 days a week
S - 2 in Oct 2009 - Mon to Thurs only
E - 1 in June 2009 - Wed only
Hopefully baby X - 6 months in June 2009 (Tues and Thurs)

DS is 5 in Oct - so full time virtually immediately - I will sort out those few days with the mums.

That's right, isn't it?

gets very confusing. could not do 5 unders 5s [

No they will only let you have 4 under 5's at the most

I've had 5 or 6 under 5's at a time BUT they were at full time school so classed as over 5. Shoshe is right, they'll only let you have 4 under the early years age group plus they don't always agree when it's new business. All you can do is ask and see what they say.

Geez, I have never even had that many enquiries let alone have the problem of fitting them all in good luck

sillymilly, it has been very quiet here for a while. things seem to be picking up. late last year i was full and overflowing (all within my numbers, though)

and my 2 interviews Fri and Sat are so far only that: interviews. i am hoping that one will become a mindee, though.

thanksfor your advice, looneytune. i will have to fight and fight for OFSTED to say yes if this does happen. really really really need to the work.......

2 of my mindees had younger siblings who wanted to start and ofsted would only let me take 1, because they said they NEVER grant 5 under 5 variations (only 4, for continuity of care).