Hi,
Happy New Year to all of you.:)

I wondered if someone would have a look at my variation request to
Ofsted and the schedule of allocated hours and tell me what you think.

I can currently care for 3 under 5's only. I need to ask for 4 under
5's for 2 days a week, and 2 under 1 yr for 5.5 hrs on a Thursday. (so
in all 4 under 5's for 2 days a week (tues and weds) and 1 over 1 year
(at preschool)and 2 under 1 year (thursday morning)

Do you think they are likely to let me, or am i asking to much?

I got a grade good in my last inspection. Only action was to get hold
of a safeguarding children book from local authority.

Anyone willing to have a peek for me please??

Jo

Hi. It does sound a lot all in one go. I have had a variation for 4 under 5s on a thus and Fri 8am to 6pm it is held until the oldest is 5 or one goes' the oldest is just 3ys. When I go the variation I was asking for continuity of care for one because the parents wanted longer hours, OSTED rarely refuse on these grounds . You dont say if this request is for new children or differrent hours for existing children or a combination.

For your letter
1. Do a clear grid of the week giving exact times each child is with you and there ages NOW.

2. Give clear detail of each child that you need the variation for and remember Every Child Matters 'Economic Wellbeing'If you cant care for the child the parent cant work and that affects the family.

3. Give clear brief detail on how you would manage youre setting. eg Car Seats, can you fit them all in the car? if you need., where would you sleep them enough cots etc. Do you have high chairs,etc etc.

Sorry to go on but I have got 5 variations in the last 15mths. The last one I ended going to a Panel meeting with OSTED got my variation and an appology from the inspector who refused it in the first place!!!

Good Luck

I have had 4 variations in the past year. They have all been for continuation of care where parents have changed hours or for sibling care.

These are the only reasons OFSTED will grant a variation. They are unlikely to grant it for new business.

hi, i forgot to mention that on the thursday i will only have the 3 children 1 is 3 and at preschool and 2 would be under 1 year old (if OFSTED allow the variation)
On Tuesday and Wednesday i would have 4 under 5, (siblings from 2 families) for around 5 hours.

I can add the letter and schedule of hours here to give you more of an idea if someone wants to have a look for me

The variation is for a sibling, and also another new starter (who works full time her elderly mum and mum in law have the baby 1 1/2 day a week each) and the parent has said that they are struggling with the 1/2 day on a thursday and would i be able to look after him, (i have 2 under 5's 8am until 1.45pm)

Jo

If it is continuity of care or changing of hours by the parents I don't see a problem.

If you write to Ofsted they will come back and ask for a schedule. I do mine in excel (or other spreadsheet) and show the ages of the children down the left hand side, days across the top and then put the times in and it becomes a grid. At the bottom highlight the times that you need the overlap for, write a letter and send it registered post and email both the letter and grid to Ofsted at enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk and you should get an answer within a week. If they don't get back to you, ring and they do.

Thanks Debbie, Would you be kind enough to take a quick peek at my letter and schedule and tell me honestly what you think?

No probs - have pm'd you my email

I had a variation for an extra 4 year old just one day a week which Ofsted accepted, I also said it was only for about 3 months so i could give the
exact start date and finish date.

It is the quickest Ofsted reply ever when it came to an end they sent me a letter to make sure i had returned to my correct numbers !

Well thats a first!! Ive had a number of variations but they have never called me at the end!!! In fact I rang them yesterday to get a new cert because a variation I had between Oct and Dec 7wks has run out and they didnt sent the new cert automatically.