I haven't noticed a post about this recently - so thought I'd start one again!!! :p

No seriously - I thought, although not confirmed, that the question regarding rising 5's, and kids being counted in your under 5's ratio until 31st Aug following their 5th birthday was hopefully being changed.

Does anyone know anything more about it - or are we all still waiting...?

It's just we had a letter today saying about being transfered to the new registers from 1st Sept, and that until new certificates arrive, on our current certificates, if it mentions under 5's, then this means all children up to 31st Aug following 5th birthday, and we can only have 3 in this age group.

They will be sending out new certificates in stages. So to me this means they are not changing this, and any children in this catergory will cost us childminders loads of money!!

I for one have 1 child going up this year - so that's one full time space I won't be getting paid for, and then next Sept I have my own son, and another mindee - so that's 2 spaces we won't get paid for.

As both me & hubby do this, we have no other income, to to say each year we have to lose out on potentially 40hrs x £3.50 per hour, is £140 per week, or £560 per month. How can they justify this...?

We've had an enquiry today, and if the rules stood as they were now, I could take them on, but when they change, we can't.

I've told the parent to get back to me when she knows days & hours etc, and if I can't do it, I'll tell her the space has gone!

Are we likely to get variations...?

Arrrrrrgggggghhhhhhh - I can't believe they haven't changed it back to how it is currently! It makes our lives such a nightmare!!

Sorry to bring it up again - but it's peeing me off!!! :angry:

Kelly x

There was a thread on here a few days ago, and yes it looks as though once at school they will only count as 5-8 before and after school, but will revert back to under 5 for holidays and inset days (until the september following their 5th birthday)

I also thought this had been cleared up and it stayed as it was - I have got one starting school in September, so wont be able to fill his space unless I tell his mum I can't do the holidays!!!!!!!!!
(can't see her being very impressed with that!) :angry:

Here is a link to the thread I started on Saturday x

http://childmindinghelp.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=14265

There was a thread on here a few days ago, and yes it looks as though once at school they will only count as 5-8 before and after school, but will revert back to under 5 for holidays and inset days (until the september following their 5th birthday)

No! According to a letter from Ofsted which I posted the other day, this was never meant to be how it was read!!

I will add it again to my answer here.


I hope this clarifies the situation! :D


Dear Childminder,

The National Standards stipulate that four-year-old children who attend 10 early education sessions a week may be classed as children over five for the purpose of adult: child ratio. The EYFS Statutory Framework document uses slightly different wording. It states that four and five year old children who only attend the Childminding setting before and/or after the school day may be counted as over five for the purposes of the adult: child ratio.

We have received confirmation from the Department for Children, Schools and Families that the change in wording does not result in a change in the legal requirement. Reference is made to children attending the Childminding setting before and after the school day only to specify which children may be counted as five. Therefore, the EYFS does not prevent four and five year olds who attend school full time from being counted as over fives during the school holidays. "

I hope this information helps. However should you require any further information do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind Regards,
Oliver Walker
Customer Service Advisor, Ofsted

Thanks for that Sarah - just catching up with the last few days and found the other thread - thank goodness for that!!!!!!!!!!!! :clapping: