Hi all
have scanned other threads about this but I am so confused about how many children I can care for
My certificate says:
may care for no more than 4 children under 8, of these not more than 1 may be in the early years age group, and of these, none may be under 1 year at any one time.
When caring for 4 or 5 year olds in full time education may increase the number of children in the early years age group by the number of children in full time education providing the maximum number is not exceeded.

When I registered my own children were 8 months and 4 years old, they are now 13 months and nearly 5 (he is in full time education now). I mind a 2 year old and 5 year old (in full time education) Does this mean that i can take on a child under 1 now? Also what does 'not more than 1 may be in the early years age group' mean? Should I ring OFSTED and tell them now my youngest child is over 1?
I am so confused, the only bit I do get is that I can only mind 4 children under 8 as I have my own 2 children.
Can somebody please help me?

Basically you can have 1 pre-school (but over 1yrs) child included in those 4. This refers to minded children not your own!

As your older child is now in full time education you wil be able to care for another pre-schooler (who will be able to be under 1yrs) BUT you must inform Ofsted of your child being at school 1st! You can't just do this without it being on your certificate!

hiya when my son was 1 i had to phone ofsted and get a new certificate to state i could have an under 1 and in sept when ds1 starts school i need to phone again and get another cert.

phone ofsted and tell them of the changes. xx

Thank you
I obviously need to ring OFSTED.
Early years age group refers to pre-school children then.
Let me check I have this right, I can care for 2 more children under 5, 1 child could be under 1 because my child is now over 1.

The early years age group refers to children under the age of 5.

You need a new certificate now your youngest is 1 year old, this should say you can look after a child under the age of 1.

Because your eldest is now at school full time he counts as an over 5 so yes you will be able to look after 2 children in the early years age group (plus your youngest) and 2 children between the ages of 5 and 8 (plus your eldest).

HTH's

Miffy xx