I am on maternity leave having had a baby last month, I have been approached by a mum about looking after her baby from January. So I would have my 5 mth dd, my 3 year old ds (who goes to nursery 5 afternoons a week) and her 7 mth ds.
Foolishly I thought a request for a variation under these circumstances would be a formality as I have plenty of space / equipment and it wouldnt be too different from when I looked after another child for a year and half from 11 months who was the same age as my son.
When I made an enquiry to this fact with ofsted they said it would almost certainly be turned down - any ideas what I could do?

What did you ask for? A variation in numbers or a variation to have 2 under 1s?

What does your certificate say at the moment? Presumably something about having 1 in the EY age range and none under 12mths?

Ofsted won't grant you a variation to increase your numbers to take on new business, but do very often agree to you being allowed 2 under 1s. You need to show how you would manage 2 babies, what equipment you have, what experience you have etc. I would phone back again and ask why it's not likely to be approved. Sometimes the people who answer the phone don't always get it right.

2 under 1 is quite common and I would expect it to be granted

I agree with the others - I can't see why you wouldn't be granted a variation for 2 under 1's.

Have a look at this Ofsted fact sheet which has a section on caring for 2 children under 1

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/factsheet-childcare-numbers-and-ages-of-children-childminders-may-care-for

I'd put in the request and see what happens.

Miffy xx