Hi all,

I was registered for awhile last year, but had trouble finding mindees to fit my schedule (was working part time as well).

Now, both my girls are heading to school in the Autumn and we've just found out that we're expecting a baby! So...I'm going to try and re-register as a childminder now that I'll have greater availability.

One of my hopes though is that I'll find a baby to be with my own little one (not right away), but I know that generally you're only allowed one baby under age one. Does Ofsted grant exceptions to this for your own baby? I know you can have infant twins, so I'm hopeful that they are flexible in this area too.

Thanks!
Jennifer

It is very unusual for variations to be granted for 2 under 1 unless it's either twins to keep them together or continuity of care if you, for example, come back from maternity leave and still have an under 1 to care for.

Good luck! :D

I have my own 8 month old and applied for another under 1. I listed my equipment, double buggy, 2 highchairs etc. a vague timetable of a typical day, and basically said it'd be nice for 2 babies to grow up together. I marked it urgent and got the certificate 2 days later!!
I think theyre very amenable to 2 under 1's, as long as you still only have 3 under 5 year olds.

I registered in December and got a variation for another under 1 (as DD was under one) in January. An inspector came to see me to go through the application as I'd not had a full graded inspection but it was granted no problem. The only questions she asked were those which I'd already filled in on the form which she had in front of her though :rolleyes:

Thanks for replies. I don't have any real worries about managing two under ones, as I've done it lots of times in nursery work/nanny care. It's good to know that Ofsted can be flexible as long as I have my ducks in a row. We'd probably not register another child until our own bean was 6 months or so, but then yeah, it's nice for them to have another baby to play and interact with!