How many children does everyone look after?

**RedDragon** · 16-05-2008, 03:20 PM

Don't know if it's been asked before, I have searched the forum but can't find a thread so hope no-one minds me starting one.

I know that we are only insured for a certain amount of children we mind (is it 10?).

I was just wondering how many everyone minds and if there is a limit to how many everyone thinks is too much.

One of the reasons I'm asking is because I'm always being approached by parents who need Childcare and there may be a day where, wait for it...........if I said yes to the latest parent I would be looking after 10! It would only be for 1.5 hours - I only look after before and after school (mainly after school) and they would all be school age.

There are not many childminders where I live so work is always available.

Would love to know what people think.

**miffy** · 16-05-2008, 03:23 PM

NCMA insurance now covers you for 12 children.

The most I will have at any time is 9 age range from 1 to 11 years old - that is plenty for me

miffy xx

**Banana** · 16-05-2008, 03:27 PM

I have 4 on my books, all part time, all under 5's.

I have a variation for wednesdays and thursdays to allow me 3 mindees plus my daughter.

That is enough for me. Even though they are part time, they all add up to full time hours and im full all week.

ANymore than that I would be mental I think

x

**berkschick** · 16-05-2008, 03:29 PM

I have 9 on my books but only ever have 3 minded ones here at a time as I have a variation for Thursday and Fridays. I do have 4 children of my own though so during the holidays I have 7 aged from 13 years to 5 months.

**Blaze** · 16-05-2008, 03:30 PM

TBH I really think it depends on the kids involved...IYSWIM

**scottie** · 16-05-2008, 03:35 PM

i look after 2 full time under 3 and 1 part time who is 5 and 2 part time who are 8 and 1 partime who is 11 that enough for me right now but i have in the past looked after 10 [only for a shot time ]

the way i look at it if you can cope with a large number then go for it

good luck

**crazybones** · 16-05-2008, 03:37 PM

During school hols I could have 9 (that is including my own 3). They are not my favorite days. I have done the school run for 2 weeks with 11 children - not good. Never again.

**mrsbumbles** · 16-05-2008, 03:39 PM

I have 8 mindees ranging from 8mths to 9yrs

**sarah32** · 16-05-2008, 03:40 PM

I have 3 full timers under 3 years. Would love some after schools but dont get the enquiries.

**RedDragon** · 16-05-2008, 03:46 PM

I'm very lucky to be honest in that the children I look after are all really well behaved, nice, friendly children.

In the past couple of years I can remember the times I have had to shout - once when they got manic in my living room and someone trod on my long curtains and the pole snapped (can you believe that 2 days later there was a brand new pole bought by a parent on my doorstep) and the other time has been when one of the children (now moved on as he went to big school) showed off his karate moves and accidently hit a child on the nose resulting in a nose bleed.

I know that Ofsted say you can have so many children (and have to include your own etc) but I never knew how many everyone else had.

I agree where you say if you can cope then fair enough and to be honest I can, but I just wanted to see what others thought.

**Splish Splosh** · 16-05-2008, 03:49 PM

I have 3 full timers ranging from 10 months to 4 years. I have 3 of my own children as well.

**Kelly** · 16-05-2008, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by 2005CLAIRE

I agree where you say if you can cope then fair enough and to be honest I can, but I just wanted to see what others thought.

I think if you can cope and the children are well behaved and get along you should go for it, you never know what's around the corner.

I have a variation to have 4 under 5 and one after schoolie, and two children of my own, I am not allowed any more 5-8 because of my variation.

Kelly

**sarah707** · 16-05-2008, 04:10 PM

I never have more than 3 at a time because of fitting them in the car in an emergency

**RedDragon** · 16-05-2008, 04:14 PM

I don't have a car - just tired, aching feet.

**disney** · 16-05-2008, 04:17 PM

i have five on my books but they are all before & after school , just have one in the day all day & three in school hols

x

**haribo** · 16-05-2008, 04:45 PM

ive got a 10 month old, 2 year old am getting another 10 month old in sept, and three after school, there all term time only x

**Pauline** · 16-05-2008, 04:47 PM

I think you are very brave! But you sound like you can cope and that is the main thing

I have a minder friend who only does before and after school and has up to 10 children at a time, she is so exhausted sometimes ...... but she is nearly 60!!

We (hubby and myself work together) have 7 under 5's on the books, we prefer the little ones and only have 5 at any one time, but that is enough for us

Two will become before and after schoolers in Sept though.

Good luck and enjoy!

**christine e** · 16-05-2008, 04:56 PM

Hi
I have twelve on my books mainly after school children. On one evening after school I have 9 but by the time we have walked home from school and had tea the first one is leaving. Out of the 9 six are 8 and over, two are 5-8 and I have one two year old so I can cope but I must admit I wouldn't want it every night, the other nights I have six or seven but I only have one or two that are under 5 so I don't find it too dificult

Christine

**Alibali** · 16-05-2008, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by loulou

I have 3 full timers ranging from 10 months to 4 years. I have 3 of my own children as well.

same here, can't imagine having any more

Ali x

**ajs** · 16-05-2008, 05:00 PM

there was a time not so long ago that i had 14 on my books but some of those were only after schoolies and then only one week a month but now i am down to 4 3 under 2 and 1 aged 6
in sept i sign another 2 1 4yrold and 1 6yr old then in january i start full time with another baby the brother of one of my under2s so by january i'll be up to 7 which is definately enough for me