Hello
I was wondering if someone could advise me on getting a variation on my registration certificate.
I have a nurse who would like care for an under 1 for 2 possibly 3 days from 1.30 to 5.30. (This would be ok on 2 days as I have a child that leaves at 1.30 although I will have to be careful not to overlap so as to not go out of my numbers)
However the problem is she works shifts so she is entirely at the whim of the hospital as to what she will be working - I can't afford to save a space for her because potentially I would have to keep every day open for her on the chance that would be the day she needed or find other children that would only come until 1.30. As I am hoping to give up my job in the next few months and do childminding full time this is not an option and I have told her this but after she left I wondered if this was precisely what a variation would be for?
Can I get a variation for a child in this situation?? My own son is 4 and is included in my under 5's so that makes things easier for me, if you see what i mean.
My other children usually go home 2.30/3.30 so the overlap is only a couple of hours on only 2 or 3 days and would only be with this one child.

I hadn't considered a variation before so would really appreciate some advice on how it works and how i would go about it, thank you very much

If you go on to the ofsted web site you can download a variation application form. I did this (twice) and had no problems at all getting a variation.

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think Ofsted will allow variations for new children. They are only for existing children who need to change their hours or for siblings. It does seem frustrating when its only for a couple of hours, especially as the chances are that one of them will nap at this time anyway! Maybe its worth giving them a call to check.

Thank you very much - I really liked this family and the little boy was so adorable. I'm not sure what they thought of me as I had a few older ones who were all excited at being on holidays but they all behaved well and the parents or little boy didn't seem phased!. Its really hard to get childcare around here and I think it must be stressfull having to negotiate with work - I found it hard enough when I went back!

Hello, I might have read wrong but when you say your ds is aged 4 and in your under 5's, if he is in full time education, he can be classed as a rising 5 and then free up a space in your under 5's. Sorry if I have read it wrong and totally confused you! I confuse myself all the time when it comes to numbers!

I'd just contact Ofsted, I got a variation once for 2 under 1's and it was quite straightforward.

XX :)

if i read correctly, that for 2 days, the mum would like care to start at 1.30, the time another child should go home. i would phone ofsted and ask for a variation to cover you 'just in case' one mum is late or the other is early. then ask if you could extend the variation to cover other days, as mum may occaisonaly need a different day.

it might be that you need to get the variation to cover the overlap first, and then a couple of weeks later ask to have it extended to every day as mums needs have changed and its continuity of care.

good luck x

Thanks ladies -
Rosydays - my son is 4 but is not a rising 5 yet - he was only 4 this month and is due to start school next September - but thank you!
Loocyloo - that was exactly what I was thinking but strangely enough mum of child that I have for 2 days that finishes at 1.30 arrived to let me know that HER work has given her 2 weeks notice to change her shifts and she will then be working afternoons and will need me 12.30 - 6.30 so doesn't fit in quite as well as I'd thought! I'm sure I can work something out to help this lady.
she said she has some keeping in touch days so if I can do the childcare for those days maybe Ofsted would then consider a variation for any extra days?

Hi :),
Good idea to do the keeping in touch days: do themon days and at times that fit with current mindees, then apply for variation to change days/times based on continuity of care :thumbsup:

Good luck: let us know how it goes :)

best wishes,
Wendy :)

she said she has some keeping in touch days so if I can do the childcare for those days maybe Ofsted would then consider a variation for any extra days?

If you have any space at all on any day that this lady may need childcare then you could take the child on and then ask Ofsted for a variation to cover the other days when care will overlap with another mindee - Ofsted should then treat the variation request as for "continuity of care" (because you are already caring for the child some days) rather than for "new business".

Good luck

Miffy xx