I care for 3 one year olds and have one of my own. As all mindees are part time the most I have is 2 & mine. Had a call from mum of Tues & weds child as her Mum was unable to get to her today (to look after the child whilst she went to work) because of the snow, so could I have him today. I said no as it would take me over my numbers.

I thought I would call Ofsted today to ask if I would be allowed if this were to happen again. I know we are allowed to go over if an "emergengy" but would this count. I was shocked when they said this was allowed!

Do we have to inform them each time it takes us over? Not that I am planning for this to happen but it is good to know.

:eek: Oh good question, eagerly awaiting an answer from someone in the " know " :clapping:

Yes I would notify them each time, to cover yourself and to be sure that they confirm it is ok.

I am shocked they said it was ok without having a variation, as it wasn't a true emergency.
:)

I was told the opposite over the summer when one of my little ones Mums went into hospital and I was asked to have him as extra! I called them at 4pm one as would have been over the next day. They said it was not an emergancy as I knew about it in advance (fair enough) but they did grant me a one off variation for that day and sent me a cert which arrived 2 days after I had been over!

I have been told that as long as you phone them each time and its an emergency then its fine.

i would have never have thought of asking them , i have the use of assistants but have to pay them so may be worth asking ofsted first lol

"Emergency" variations are dealt with on a case by case basis, and it is hard to get any handle on whether a situation is likely to be passed or not.

But certainly there is provision for last-minute changes such as described. It depends on other things such as total numbers minded, whether the child(or a sibling) already attends the setting, what other care the family can call on etc etc.

Wow, it's certainly worth checking with Ofsted if this happens again in the future, I would not have expected them to agree.:)