:angry: I've just got off the phone to Ofsted - the guy on the phone made me so cross as he really wasn't listening to me, and I ended up saying 'you're not listening to me, goodbye!' and putting the phone down - is that bad?

Anyway I have been asked about childcare for funny hours - the parent is a air stewardess who does 3/4 days every 6 weeks and will need childcare when her baby is born. I wondered if I might get a variation, as some of the work days will fall on a weekend so I wouldn't have the baby and I have a space on a Thurs & Fri, so it may be very few times when I would be over my numbers. I don't want to lose a full time space, and although the parent would be prepared to pay to cover a space, it would be unfair to pay for a full time one I think.

Has anyone else had childcare requests like this, or asked for a variation for a new child a been given it?

Ofsted don't seem to grant variations of new children.

But if the child starts and you can work out with mum schedule about when you will be over your numbers you can then apply for a variation.

I realise that you won't want apply for a variation each and everytime, so apply for a blanket one to all possible hours and then take it from there.

But get the child started with your first.

Thanks. Rang Ofsted back again (got someone who was nice and helpful this time!) and that is pretty much what they advised too.

I used to work for an air hostess. She always knew her shifts the month before which helped.

We used to juggle a bit but it was do-able. She really appreciated using a childminder over a nursery because I only charged her for the hours she used - I treated it as a bit extra rather than an income iyswim.

I hope it works for you! :D