advice on a potential variation

**louised** · 01-03-2013, 10:33 AM

I currently care for 4 children in the EYFS on a Monday and Tuesday, they are 2, 2 ,3 and 4 years, I was granted a variation for continuity of care back in August for one of the 2 year olds as his parents wanted to increase his days. The 3 year olds mum has recently given birth and she wants me to have the baby on the same days.

The way I understand the new rules are that as long as I can prove that the care of the children will not be affected and none of the parents disapprove then I can take on the new baby. The variation only needs to cover a period of 11 weeks as I'm losing 2 children to school in September and the 4 year old is at pre-school for 3 hours both days.

I know 5 under 5 sounds a lot for 1 person to care for but I feel the other children are all in good routines and I feel taking on a 4 month old won't affect their care over a short period of time. Any advice or views welcome

**sarah707** · 01-03-2013, 11:08 AM

There are some similar scenarios in this document - which has been checked and okayed by Ofsted

http://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/fr...%2009.2012.pdf

**migimoo** · 01-03-2013, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by sarah707

There are some similar scenarios in this document - which has been checked and okayed by Ofsted

http://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/fr...%2009.2012.pdf

Still no clearer to me Sarah

.....atm I am allowed 3 but can do a variation to have 4....once the new rules come in will we be allowed 4 and have a variation for 5 then?

**louised** · 01-03-2013, 01:08 PM

There are some similar scenarios in this document - which has been checked and okayed by Ofsted

Thanks Sarah, that clears it up and reinforces my decision

**sarah707** · 01-03-2013, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by migimoo

Still no clearer to me Sarah

.....atm I am allowed 3 but can do a variation to have 4....once the new rules come in will we be allowed 4 and have a variation for 5 then?

Best not think about the new rules yet - I think they just confuse the issue tbh.

At the moment you can have up to 6 under 8 - if you go over 3 under 5 then it can only be for continuity of care in exceptional circumstances and you need to follow the procedures in this document -

Changes to Conditions of Registration