i have my own children 6 and 16 months (also have over 8's)

my req allows me the following....no more than 4 under 8..no more than 2 in the early yrs, and obviously no more than 1 under 1.

so i currently look after a 4 year old as and when im needed, sometimes as little as 1 morning a month just to take to nursery, sometimes all day (but thats very rare)
i sometimes look after 2 brothers aged 3 and 1 but this is also rare (and never at the same time as above child)
ive been asked to care for a 1 yr old 3 days a week starting at the end of the monts, days will change! gggrrrr!!!
so my question is, can i have all these children on my books but only care for as a first come first serve basis and never go over my numbers. is this allowed? something is telling me its not.
i am also starting with 3 after school kids in the next month or so... ages 8,9 and 10.

You can have 4 under 8 at any one time in your care. So yes you can have all the chikdren. Your books as long as you are never over your numbers when caring for the children.
I have sixteen children on my books but they don't all come together, I'm never over my numbers but they are all part time or occasional on an as and when needed arrangement.

I have 9 on my books and they slot in through the week - but I am never over my numbers because I keep to 6 under 8 (my 2 are older now).

Hth :D