Pipsqueak
16-09-2009, 09:06 AM
I emailed Ofsted yesterday with some questions and this is the response I have been given:
these are my questions:
Dear Sir/Madam
After a long conversation with one of your colleagues on Monday 14th September I would like clarification from you regarding my own situation:
My own son is 4 years old (he turns 5 in December 09) and in full time education.
I currently care for:
I age 3 11.15 to 4.15 3 days a week Wed-Fri
C age 2 7.45 to 12.25
R age 7 7.45 to 9am (this child turns 8 in November 09)
L age 6 7.45 to 9am
L, R and C are siblings and the term time arrangement is 4 days a week - rolling weeks and during holiday periods I will be caring for them 7.45 to 12.45 4 days a week
I have been asked to care for:
J age 4 in full time education 8 - 9am and after school (this child turns 5 in November)
H age 6 8-9am and after school
J and H are siblings
J and H are close family friends (J being in the same class as my own son and are best friends) - their mother is heavily pregnant and has never left them with anyone else (including family members) apart from me and i know them very well. It is possible there will be some holiday work but not much.
Can you tell me if:
I need to apply for a variation (based on the information given above)
explain the application and use of the principle of 'rising 5'
does my certificate need to reflect 'rising 5' for my own son or any other children?
once I have dropped children off at school - providing I am not having them again that day or even if I am having them again that evening - can I take on other children? I know this principle would not apply to my own son as he is still effectively taking up a space.
can a childminder in no circumstances go over their 6 under 8's ratio - could I apply to go over the 6 in special circumstances? What would these 'special' circumstances be?,
Dear ,
Thank you for your e-mail.
In response to your enquiry the maximum number of children a childminder can provide care for at any one time is 6. There is no exception to this when working alone. If you wished to increase your numbers further to this you would have to work along side a co-childminder or assistant.
With regards to Rising 5's, The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework states (in relation to Childminders only):
"where four and five year old children attend the setting before and or after a normal school day, they may be classed as children over the age of five for the purposes of the adult:child ratio".
Providers may request the rising fives condition be added to their certificate for clarity but it is not a requirement to do so. Rising fives is part of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements and all childminders are able to offer places for rising fives without having the condition on their certificate, providing the maximum number is not exceeded.
The ratios on your certificate are for the maximum number of children at any one time.
It is an offence not to comply with a condition of registration therefore if you wish to change these you must submit a request to vary these conditions.
I hope you find this information helpful. However should you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.
Regards
Gareth Scott
ustomer Service Advisor
Ofsted - National Business Unit
TEL: 08456 404040
so clear as mud and they haven't answered my questions! going to re-email.
these are my questions:
Dear Sir/Madam
After a long conversation with one of your colleagues on Monday 14th September I would like clarification from you regarding my own situation:
My own son is 4 years old (he turns 5 in December 09) and in full time education.
I currently care for:
I age 3 11.15 to 4.15 3 days a week Wed-Fri
C age 2 7.45 to 12.25
R age 7 7.45 to 9am (this child turns 8 in November 09)
L age 6 7.45 to 9am
L, R and C are siblings and the term time arrangement is 4 days a week - rolling weeks and during holiday periods I will be caring for them 7.45 to 12.45 4 days a week
I have been asked to care for:
J age 4 in full time education 8 - 9am and after school (this child turns 5 in November)
H age 6 8-9am and after school
J and H are siblings
J and H are close family friends (J being in the same class as my own son and are best friends) - their mother is heavily pregnant and has never left them with anyone else (including family members) apart from me and i know them very well. It is possible there will be some holiday work but not much.
Can you tell me if:
I need to apply for a variation (based on the information given above)
explain the application and use of the principle of 'rising 5'
does my certificate need to reflect 'rising 5' for my own son or any other children?
once I have dropped children off at school - providing I am not having them again that day or even if I am having them again that evening - can I take on other children? I know this principle would not apply to my own son as he is still effectively taking up a space.
can a childminder in no circumstances go over their 6 under 8's ratio - could I apply to go over the 6 in special circumstances? What would these 'special' circumstances be?,
Dear ,
Thank you for your e-mail.
In response to your enquiry the maximum number of children a childminder can provide care for at any one time is 6. There is no exception to this when working alone. If you wished to increase your numbers further to this you would have to work along side a co-childminder or assistant.
With regards to Rising 5's, The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework states (in relation to Childminders only):
"where four and five year old children attend the setting before and or after a normal school day, they may be classed as children over the age of five for the purposes of the adult:child ratio".
Providers may request the rising fives condition be added to their certificate for clarity but it is not a requirement to do so. Rising fives is part of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements and all childminders are able to offer places for rising fives without having the condition on their certificate, providing the maximum number is not exceeded.
The ratios on your certificate are for the maximum number of children at any one time.
It is an offence not to comply with a condition of registration therefore if you wish to change these you must submit a request to vary these conditions.
I hope you find this information helpful. However should you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.
Regards
Gareth Scott
ustomer Service Advisor
Ofsted - National Business Unit
TEL: 08456 404040
so clear as mud and they haven't answered my questions! going to re-email.