childminder possible in breach of registration

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Hi

I am due back at work in 2 weeks and had found a childminder I liked - local, nice etc. She was looking after her son (3) full time and doing a school pick up for a five year old. My dd is 6 months old and will be with her full time.

This morning she emailed to say that she has taken on 2 more full time girls (2 and 3). I think this puts her in breach of her Ofsted registration (she is registered as being allowed 4 children under 8 of which only 2 can be in the early years age group). Not sure what to do now - do I mention the Ofsted thing (in which case I imagine that she would probably dump my dd) - more than that would 4 under 5s in the care of one adult work?

Would love to know what other people would do - if anyone has that many kids and how it works? Just think that it does not seem very professional and that does not bode well???

Thanks

Did you pay her a retainer? Is she definitely holding that space open?

Is this e-mail possibly giving you notice that she can't have your DD?

I would ask her TBH. She might have a variation.

I dont know if this is relevent as Ive had a couple of glasses of wine and cant do the math but I beleive that rising 5s or 5s come in to a different group so the school pick up for the 5 year old wont count.. or something like that. You should call ofsted with her number and ask them before talking to her or making any rash decisios..

Haven't paid her a retainer - she is still keen to have dd - she mentioned in her email that she thinks it would be good for dd to have other girls to emulate and she is looking forward to having a baby. Didn't know that there were variations which wouldn't turn up on the Ofsted website - it sounds odd but am worried about forcing the issue - I am a little out of other options that nurseries in my area are vvv expensive and do not have the hours I need and family is completely different area of the UK!

Well check on OFSTED for her registration certificate - the one on-line should be up-to-date

The one online says 4 under 8 - 2 in early years - only one under one. I understand that early years basically means under 5 unless they are in school. She (with her son if he counts?? aargh so much I don't understand) would have 4 kids under 4. If I call Ofsted with her number am I 'dobbing' her in? I wouldn't want to cause those problems for her - especially if the other 2 even without dd is not allowed - I understand the wish to maximise income especially as a single mother childminding. My major concern is whether 4 kids in a (not very big) flat will work - safety is the key issue as far as I can tell toddlers are not gentle!

I didnt think you could get a variation for new business, i know I tried, I had a baby, 2 year old and asked for a variation for siblings, 3 and 4, and was told no, as it was new business.

Is it really important that childminders abide by the terms of their registration? Do others turn a 'blind eye'? I'm a lawyer so I am kind of anal about meeting the exact terms of my responsibilities as being struck off would be the worst thing ever but I have no experience of the childminding world and whether it is acceptable/ normal for childminders to accept more kids than they technically have registration for.

Well if she is going against her registration the children will not be insured, plus she could be fined/closed down if OFSTED find out

Not really a safe choice - I think you have to mention someone

Assuming the 5yo in not counted in ratio, your dd is her under 1, so she could have 1 more under 5 - I wonder if she is double counting the under 1 plus the 2 under 5?

Even if the five year old is not counted she has her son (3) and the other two girls (2 and 3) - I thought the childminder's own children count or is that not right? (This is a sodding steep learning curve!)

Maybe she has got confused and thinks she can have one under 1, plus two under 5s, plus her own son? I'd call and confirm with her - if she's happily telling you about the extra children it sounds like she doesn't realise it's a problem.

They count for ratios but not on her certificate

So 2 Early Years on her cert plus her son makes 3 Early Years in total which is her ratio

I think she has said
One under one - your DD
2 Early Years - little girls
Her DS - not on cert

Sorted

She is, of course, wrong

She will be over her limit. It sounds like she hasn't taken her own son into consideration.

Apart from the whole Ofsted thing which is a big concern - what are people's experience of the age mixes? Nurseries seem to segregate 0 - 18 months away from other bigger kids. I was comfortable with one 3 year old and dd as I think that is manageable. I am not sure if you add two other toddlers. Dd isn't mobile yet so couldn't get out of the way if toddler tantrums started. She also isn't used to any other kids - we are the first of our group of friends to have one - she is my first (hence the neurotic worrying) and she has met her cousins who are between 1 and 3 and mostly they are a bit too interested and don't really understand when she grabs/ can't play..

you can get a variation o a new buisness :D

Well I have 9 all under 3 & I survive

The babies and the older ones have very good realtionships imo much more like home (with siblings) than like school (at nursery)

9 under three!!! You must be exhausted or super energetic. One is more than enough most days for me. The reason I went for the childminer set up was I liked that idea of her having an older child who would be a constant along with the constant care of one adult.

HopandBop, not here you can't I have known plenty of Cm's try, only way you would get a variation, would be for continuation of care (say child did 2 days mum needed to change to 4 days, could get variation for the two new days) or for twins.

I have help....honest

I haven't broken ratio in all 7 years I have been a childminder - I am a bit rule bound too

Hang didn't you say 4 under 8?

I wonder if floor space was a consideration when OFSTED gave out her numbers?

DH and I have 7 under 5s and the little ones really thrive mixing in with the older children. The older children act as carers, mentors, guides, tall people to reach toys, etc (as well as having to be watched, for those 'toddler moments').

when is her sons birthday? I ask as my son is 3. He is 4 in august and starts school full time 13th September so from 13th September Ofsted have agreed he will change my registered numbers as he in effect comes into over 5's numbers.

If this is case she would have ds (over 5)
Girl (5) (over 5)
siblings (Early Years)
your dd (Early Years) therefore not over numbers if Ofsted agree to move him up in her age groups.

Generally minders can have six children in total. 3 in early years (of which only 1 under 12mths) and 3 on the childcare register, so between the ages of 5 and 8. Although as has been mentioned children at full time school even if they are still 4 yrs old can be counted as rising 5's within the childcare register.

Is one of the newbies at school. I would definately check with the minder, if it's a genuine mistake she will be grateful of the heads up.

Just a quick hijack, I am looking for a lawyer to check over a lease agreement and do a share purchase agreement, don't suppose you can reccommend anyone?

That's true if he is nearly 4 he could start school in Sept (as long as he goes F/T)

Katy has Staff! Not really any other way of managing 9 under 3 - or getting permission for it!

But even Nick will agree I am rule bound