I have one little boy 18 months daily 8:15 to 15:00. My own son is three, so counts in my 5 and under numbers, but is at nursery mornings. I have had an enquiry from parents with another one and a half year old and a four year old who want two days a week, but don't yet know which. To add to the confusion, their four year old will be at nursery part of the day, but depending which day, it will be either morning or afternoon. I think it would work quite well to have two pairs of children close in age, though obviously hard work. I don't think I can do much until they know for sure what they want, but do you think it would be worth applying for a variation to be able to accept the siblings? I'm not sure what would be involved or how long it would take to reach a decision. The mum has said she can't find any nearby childminders with two places. Is there any risk in applying and being turned down (in other words might it be a black mark with OFSTED if they don't think I should have more children)? Any thoughts on how I could improve my chances of success - or am I just mad to contemplate this??

Call Ofsted and ask for advice.

I had to do that yesterday for something similar and when I told them the reason why I was asking for a variation, Ofsted said they didn't think it would be a problem at all. So I had to get it all written down in a letter stating my case and proving I could handle the variation. I sent it off today so not sure how long it will take to reach a decision and amend my certificate.

There will be no 'black mark' for asking for a variation :)

Good luck, hope you get it! x

How many children are you allowed in total?

its difficult as you say ,,, what day and session are you going to be over your numbers?

I have not yet heard of any one been turned down by ofsted for a variation..

I would wait till mum knows what is needed work your numbers out n ring Ofsted about the situation and say you realy want to help coz shortage of child-care places to take both children and want to keep then together

good luck xxxx

Call Ofsted and ask for advice.

I had to do that yesterday for something similar and when I told them the reason why I was asking for a variation, Ofsted said they didn't think it would be a problem at all. So I had to get it all written down in a letter stating my case and proving I could handle the variation. I sent it off today so not sure how long it will take to reach a decision and amend my certificate.

There will be no 'black mark' for asking for a variation :)

Good luck, hope you get it! x


Also Ofsted will prob want to come and see you and give you chance to show how you will care for all the childrens needs,

the inspector on my variation was very Very nice and it went well xx

Theres no harm in asking for a variation. Have you had your inspection yet? If not a variation request MAY trigger your inspection!! (mine did!!) :)

I asked last year for a variation it was only for 2 days a week for 4 hours for a child 7 months old to clash with a 10 month old at the time . My Network co ordinator told me to go for it so I did a long letter stating all the children I looked after and when and put the ages etc on it. Anyway to cut a long story short it took them 12 weeks to ring me back and then they said they couldnt understand my letter.:mad: Then i had to explain it to her verbally at the end of which she asked if the baby was a sibling . I had given all names and ages so I said obvoiusly not but this baby was only going to be over my numbers for 2 days a week for 4 hours for 8 weeks until my other child was 1. Anyway my answer was a very strong NO:angry: We do not allow this at all. I then went on to meet a minder who had a baby of her own at 4months and was allowed a full time baby of 5 months also... I was not happy but it seems you cant argue. I was also told to withdraw my variation as It could look bad on my records . I havent as I dont see it as a problem, As anyone else come accross this at all???

You are normally only granted a variation for continuation of care or for sibling link.

So if a mindee you had then had a baby sibling, you would normally be granted a variation to take on the baby in order to keep the siblings together.

Likewise if you had a child on a Monday for example but then the parents increased their work hours to need you on a Tuesday too but you were full on a Tuesday, you would normally be able to get a variation for continuation of care without too much bother.

BUT you would only be allowed this if your total number of children did not exceed 6 under 8.

I asked last year for a variation it was only for 2 days a week for 4 hours for a child 7 months old to clash with a 10 month old at the time . My Network co ordinator told me to go for it so I did a long letter stating all the children I looked after and when and put the ages etc on it. Anyway to cut a long story short it took them 12 weeks to ring me back and then they said they couldnt understand my letter.:mad: Then i had to explain it to her verbally at the end of which she asked if the baby was a sibling . I had given all names and ages so I said obvoiusly not but this baby was only going to be over my numbers for 2 days a week for 4 hours for 8 weeks until my other child was 1. Anyway my answer was a very strong NO:angry: We do not allow this at all. I then went on to meet a minder who had a baby of her own at 4months and was allowed a full time baby of 5 months also... I was not happy but it seems you cant argue. I was also told to withdraw my variation as It could look bad on my records . I havent as I dont see it as a problem, As anyone else come accross this at all???

Sorry to hear the decision went against you. I have heard so much about them being a law unto themselves and how much anything depends on who you talk to and how they're feeling on the day. I haven't had huge problems with OFSTED so far but I did ask two questions and in each case after a significant delay got answers to completely different points! Local CM I spoke to was appalled that I had contacted them at all - she said don't have any contact unless you absolutely have to (as it encourages them to visit!).

Thank you - and everyone else - for all your helpful replies. I will see how things look once I know the precise days and times and take a judgement then about whether it is a case worth arguing.

I asked last year for a variation it was only for 2 days a week for 4 hours for a child 7 months old to clash with a 10 month old at the time . My Network co ordinator told me to go for it so I did a long letter stating all the children I looked after and when and put the ages etc on it. Anyway to cut a long story short it took them 12 weeks to ring me back and then they said they couldnt understand my letter.:mad: Then i had to explain it to her verbally at the end of which she asked if the baby was a sibling . I had given all names and ages so I said obvoiusly not but this baby was only going to be over my numbers for 2 days a week for 4 hours for 8 weeks until my other child was 1. Anyway my answer was a very strong NO:angry: We do not allow this at all. I then went on to meet a minder who had a baby of her own at 4months and was allowed a full time baby of 5 months also... I was not happy but it seems you cant argue. I was also told to withdraw my variation as It could look bad on my records . I havent as I dont see it as a problem, As anyone else come accross this at all???

I got a variation last october for a new child and have done in the past it is a myth that they only grant variations for sibblings it is not true.

Anyway the variation in Oct was to allow a new 16week old to start 1 day 8-4 with 3 other children aged1 just, 1 and 2 in nov and a 2yr 3 in Dec,, I needed the variation for 8 weeks until the 2yr went part time.

I was refused. I appealed in writting, they sent a form. It ended in having a choise of a phone call, write a letter or attend a meeting with them.

I chose a meeting. They arranged it locally to me and at my request at 4pm to minimise the impact on my families. The outcome was the inspector who refused the variation, she was on the panel at the meeting - She and the chair apologised and said they hadn't read the information I had sent in throughly and they hadnt rung me to talk it through, which has always happened before. They should have granted the variation and said it had been a pleasure meeting me. I got the variation!

Moral never just accept the first NO to a Variation. Always question it but make sure you have evidence to back youself up. My parents and the new mum wrote amazing letters as well.

Oh I never thought to do that I was just so hurt and upset by the answer. Thank you for that tho will try it if I need it in future. X

My pleasure.:laughing: :laughing:

Good luck Mummits,
I hope they grant you your variation xx

i had variation for 1 year until my daughter went to school. Only because i was looking siblings and one was coming for 5 full days and the other one could was here 4 days because i had my own under5 and another child on tuesday so i could not fit sibling in on tuesday. so i stated for continuity care,not enough minders with vacancies and wrote letter how i would cope with 4 under 5's,transport,emotional side,play,outings....
then they sent me form and i had to list every child hour after hour i have them in my house and had yes from them

The mum of my first mindee has just told me she's expecting, so he'll be leaving in June, which is such a shame as he's a sweetie.

Maybe that will make it more likely that I'll be able to have the new children (though I've heard nothing further from their Mum which does make me wonder if that will actually happen).

First boy's mum was very nice though - said she hoped I could have him back and the new baby in about a year's time. I hope so too, but I don't think I can afford to count on it.

I'm feeling very unsettled and almost weepy - at this rate I will be bawling my eyes out by the time he actually goes.

i've just applied for a selection of variations!

2 are to allow me to have a different selction of 4 under 5's but are siblings/continuity of care.

Ofsted rang yesterday, asked for actual names and dates of birth, and said she couldn't see a problem with granting those variations. she just needed to get the inspector to 'sign it'.

my other variation is for when my assistant is registered ... she said it appeared fine, but couldn't be granted until they had approved my assistant. ( i said that she had had her crb ... oh, they didn't know that !! typical ... she will chase it! )

but i won't have a visit or anything else. but as different ofsted people say different things ... who knows!

i don't think it does any harm to ask ofsted, i had endless conversations last term about variations/assistants and the like, and it doesn't seem to have caused any issues for me.

good luck

xxx

Why do I bother? The Mum of the two boys for whom I would have needed a variation has just dropped round a note to say forget it, but she can't agree terms with her employer so has decided not to go back to work after all. She was very apologetic, but even so it's disappointing. I'm only glad I hadn't bought any extra stuff or made any commitments based on the work.