Can anyone direct me to an official, legal definition of a 'baby' (in terms of age) as used in Ofsted documentation. I can find 'child' (a young child up until 1st September following his or her fifth birthday) but not 'baby'. When does a baby become a child?

I've always assumed (and we know what assume does!) that a baby is 0–12mths but can't for the life of me find anywhere that it is actually stated to be so ~ I'm sure it must exist somewhere.

i'm not sure there is an official definition. To me, babies are pre-toddling, then toddlers, then i would normally stop calling them a toddler at about 3? Sorry not much help :blush:

What is the reason you are wanting a definition? Is it regarding ratios? Or something else?

What is the reason you are wanting a definition? Is it regarding ratios? Or something else?

It's something Mrs MiniKins and myself were chatting about a while ago, but reading the thread here: http://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/forum/general-childminding-chat/117317-ratios.html reminded me.

i'm not sure there is an official definition.

Thanks Juggler ~ that's what I'm finding... ergo they shouldn't use it in official documentation!