Ratio -again :(

[Happiness]

Ok I know this has been probably already discussed before but I am quite new to this and don't want to make any mistakes. I am loosing one of my little ones who is full time( Monday to Friday 7:30-4:30). I have another little boy on Mondays and Tuesdays 7:30-17:30. I have just been asked to look after two twins who are 15 moths old. That would be flexible-around 25 hours (between Monday and Friday) as the mum works different days and does different shifts. I also have my daughter with me who is 17 months old. I haven't been graded yet as I only started childminding in October. Do I need to contact Ofsted and get their permission to look after the twins as on some days I would have 4 children under 5 ? Splitting up the twins is not an option. I wouldn't even suggest it myself. What is the procedure in situation like this? Do I just take the twins on? The mum is in a hurry as she is going back to work after Christmas. Help please

[Rick]

You wouldn't be able to take on the twins as new business which would take you over your numbers. Ofsted do not sort out variations anymore, they will refer you back to the EYFS

[Tealady]

You could only have them Wed-Fri. If Mum can't work with that she needs to find a childminder with two spaces, all week I'm afraid.

[Goatgirl]

Hi,
If you started the twins on weds - friday, you could increase days later, based on continuity of care. Of course, that would only be ok if you risk assess all situations, have a thorough think about logistics, equipment, how you would meet everyones needs in challenging scenarios and come out of that thinking it would be doable. You'd also need to discuss with parents of your other mindee, so that they know you would have an extra child on some occasions and are aware of how you will make it work so that their child's needs are still being met.

In your situation I would tell Mum I could only definitely offer weds to fri, but there's a possibly I could offer a full week after a time if all the circumstances were right. Then if I did feel I could go ahead with the extra days I would do it on a trial period basis just to be sure I could cope without exhausting myself - 4 children is crazy hard work when they are this young!

Are there any relatives she could ask to do 2 days for her possibly?
If not then it may be that she has to look elsewhere if she can't manage without full cover from the start. But you never know, another single full timer might be just around the corner for you .
Hope it works out for everyone