Hi lovely childminders..another question !!

[Summerfruit]

Dear all !

At the moment, I'm looking after a 7 month old on mon,tues,wednesday. A 14 month old on wednesday, thursday, friday, and a 18 months old on thursday, Friday plus my almost 2 years old dd.

So my question is : The 7 months old's mum asked me if I could have her full time because she is put under pressure to go back full time work BUT as I have the 14 months old and the 18 months old plus my 2 years old on thursday and friday, do you think I can ask OFSTED if I can have this little girl on thursday and friday ?

HOPE IT MAKES SENSE !

You can ask as it's continuity of care.

Is it likely they'll accept ? Thanks bradfordmum, you have been great help to me in the past weeks ! xxx

Hi Summerfruit - you could try but I doubt they will let you have four under 5's for two whole days together.

Not only that do you think you would be able to cope with so many young ones? Getting out and about might be hard also.

Good luck - if they agree it will be hard work.

I know but I'll lose her otherwise all in one go...I have a triple buggy and my 2 years ol walks so I may try, it's only 2 days. Thanks for your answer !

In my experience I don't think it could do any harm in asking Ofsted. I got a variation for 4 under 5's for 4 full days a week, so it's not unheard of. BUT, each ofsted person you talk to is different so that's not to say it will happen for you.
When asking ofsted, make sure you write down everything that will help you ie. continuity of care, already having equipment, mindees already knowing each other, how you would handle safety when walking, out and about etc, and what you would do in an emergency. If they can see that you have looked at everything then they will be more likely to give you a positive response.
Good luck.

You will need to write to Ofsted asking them for the vatriation to your registration for those two days. You need to include an exact list of your minded childrens attendance times,(for the whole week) the proposed times & include your dd in the list so they take her into account as well!
You will also need to state how you would cope with 4 under fives, transport, activity, care wise etc. Expect them to either write back or ring you with more questions & possibly to come & see you to discuss the request, they will also have to confirm that you have enough space for four children. Remember that if you care for 5-8 year olds as well that you cannot go over 6 children under 8 at any time so think of those as well in your numbers (include them & all other minded children as well) as they won't want you overstretching yourself.
It is hard worK but I do it at the moment 3 days a week, & have done for the last 10 months & will be until September. Remember the variation will stay in place until either the oldest starts full time school or one of the children leaves your care, when you need to notify Ofsted so they can issue another amended certficate!

I got a variation for continuity of care for 4 under 3s for two days a week. You can only ask

Hi all ! I have asked and they said no, oh well nevermind ! The mum doesn't seem to appreciate the efforts I have done to help her so I'm not that bothered really !!Thank you for all your help !!! xx

Hi all ! I have asked and they said no, oh well nevermind ! The mum doesn't seem to appreciate the efforts I have done to help her so I'm not that bothered really !!Thank you for all your help !!! xx

Was just about to ask if you wanted me to email my templates as never been turned down for 'continuity of care' requests but I see they've already said no. Shame but if she's ungrateful then I agree best you don't bother!

Don't let it put you off asking for a variation again in the future. Not sure why they said no to you but just to reassure you, they often say yes. I've had many variations and the most recent one is one I really thought they'd say no to as it was not only for 4 under 5's, but 2 under 1's at the same time. The ages were all also very young (4 months, 10 months, 18 months & 20 months). They agreed to that and yes it can be hard work but perfectly fine. I've now just had yet another variation approval to add an extra day again so I'll have these children 3 days a week instead of 2.

Anyway, as you said it sounds like you're better off not doing it. At least with mine, I told the mum I'd give it a go but if I couldn't manage them all, I wanted to go back to just doing the days we originally were contracted for and she was eternally grateful for me even trying (as the 4 month old was my own baby and wasn't giving me much sleep and I'd said no until I felt ready). Why bother if they treat you rubbish!!!

Wonder if they'd let you do it for one day and the Mum can negotiate going back 4 days per week?

Hi ladies !

The mum is self employed and it's ca contract which needs her 5 days on site so no, can't do it..I have told her I was going to do my best, asking around, asking ofsted...etc and then I have told her I couldn't (by text,was it a mistake ?) it has been 2 days, she didnt bother answering me !

Summerfruit - no problem with text imo, I text all my families all the time but we have that sort of relationship and it suits all of us. If she's off with you, I'd love to know why as wtf does she expect you to do??!!!!