Maximum number of children at preschool

[Mimase]

Hi

Does anyone know the restrictions on the numbers of children in a preschool setting?

In 2008 (before I joined the committee) we applied to Ofsted to increase our numbers from 22 to 26 children, which was accepted. Out of the blue, we've had a letter saying they have reduced our numbers back to 22 based on the Childcare Act 2006, which seems odd as I can't find any amendments to the Act after 2006.

I can't find the criteria regarding numbers on the Ofsted site or in the Act. Can anyone point me in the right direction before phoning them on Monday?

Thanks

It'll be in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) - In Welfare Requirements probably

There's definitely been some changes in this area due to EYFS because I got a letter yesterday rephrasing certain sentences in our registration certificate regarding how many children we can take (fortunately they haven't put our numbers down).

I believe there's a formula they use based on the square footage of the room. Obviously your room hasn't shrunk, but perhaps they've altered their guidelines about how this formula should be applied?

That said, when the inspector came out to register our new site, she didn't actually measure anything, she just looked at it and said 'erm... does 18 sound reasonable?'

Our old site is smaller but was registered a long time ago for 20!

I was advised by Sure Start that if you want to apply for a variation to your registration certificate so you can take more children, you can write to Ofsted with your proposal, and that it supports your case if you can enclose a plan of your room indicating where things (e.g. food prep area, home corner, messy play) will be located, so that they can make an informed decision about whether there is room for that many children.

HTH

DD's preschool can take a maximum of 38 ... so you are not hitting any maximum number regulations!!

Thank you everyone.

I will try and contact them today.

I'm hoping this is a mistake (we were at temporary premises a couple of years ago and there have been mix ups in the past with which premises we were registered at). After a big drop in numbers, we have only recently gotten back a on better finacial footing so this would be a big blow.

In Wales the size of the room plays a part in how many children in pre school that you can take.

I was under the impression that a nursery group could not be over 26. Nurseries seem to be getting round that problem by theoretically dividing a large group up into 2. In practice it doesn't work like that. I've worked in a room with 45 pre-schoolers.

I remember when my boss found out that furniture on wheels didn't count as 'Permanent' and that you could still count the space under it when you worked out the maximum number of children allowed. I got in the next week and all the furniture was 3 inches higher and kept rolling about the room.

Hello Am I too late? From a document I have quoting 'ofsted Stautory Framework' the age of the child dictates the square footage . under 2- 3.5m2 indoor space per child, 2 years -2.5m2 and 3-7yrs 2.3m2.
Hope that helps

Thank you everyone for replying.
Sorry I've not got back sooner, the dreaded tummy bug.

It turns out that (despite contacting them several times about it) they are still mixing up our permenant and temporary addresses. So our current numbers are fine.

Fortunately, it also came to light that because of the mix up they have been over charging us and will give us a refund.

Thanks again.