I will have spaces freed up from September 09, when 3 of my 4 early years mindees begin full time school together.

The 4th of my early years children will still come to me 2 full days per week.
She now has twin brothers who are currently approximately 7 months old.
Therefore, I have applied to Ofsted to request a variation of conditions to mind 2 under 1's together, along with their sister who is already in my care.

That was around 10 days ago, and I am waiting for a response.

However, mum has had to return to work, but as it stands, I am not able to take the three of them together (regardless of the pending variation) because I would be well over my numbers, that is until school breaks up for the summer term.

Therefore, Mum has placed the twins in temporary care with another childminder (new starter childminder) who has told her that she was given permission to mind them as "one baby (place) because they are twins"??!!!!!

I explained to her that this is not the case, and that the minder would have to have applied to Ofsted to do this, as they are both under 1 year, but that a variation is usually more difficult to achieve if you have not cared for children (as a childminder) before, and if it is not for continuation of care.

Mum asked the minder recently about this, and she said she had a 'piece of paper' which said that she could? Mum didn't know where/who the letter had come from. We are getting together for a coffee soon, so I will try and glean a little more info then.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this, and do any of you know whether there is some clause etc which would allow this that I am not aware of?

Or, do you think that the childminder is just telling the mum that it has been ok'd for the work/income?

What worries me is, that if she genuinely believes that you can do this ie. take 2 babies as one place 'because they are twins' (she is not over numbers by the way at the moment, she only has the twins), not only that, but she does seem to think anyone can have 2 under one's together, if she gets caught, I would feel awful for her as she is newly started.

I don't know the childminder, she is not from from our local area/network.

I have informed mum that possibly all might not be well. Don't want to say too much more.

Any thoughts please?

It is very rare for any childminder to have blanket permission for two under ones. If one does it is usually very experienced cms. She would not have a 'piece of paper' it would have to be on her Registration Certificate which shoud be on display for the parents to see and read.

The mum has every right to ask for a copy of the reg cert and the cms latest Ofsted report, which if she is that new should show the fact that she can have 2 under ones on it.

If the mum has her Reg number she can look at her report on line. She could also ring ofsted and ask as well. all she needs is the minders name and address which she must have.

It is important she is registered properly, if she isn't then she won't be covered by her insurance and nor will the children in her care.

I can not see how any newly registered childminder can be that confused over something as simple as how many children under 1 you can care for!

I can see the rising 5 issues etc, but this could not be any more clearly stated on a certificate, which you are required by law to display! If i was the mum i would be asking where the displayed certificate is and using the reg number on the contract to check the cert online!

Ofsted will usually grant a variation for twins but it is still a variation and should be on her certificate - if I were the mum I would want to see this peice of paper the other cm is talking about - if she has no variation her insurance will be invalid.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I must admit, the issue of insurance in this scenario had not crossed my mind. That is certainly another worry.

Mum is coming over for a coffee this week, and I will pass on all the information you have given here. Hopefully, this will be resolved as soon as possible.
Thanks again.