I am already a reg childminder but I have a question for someone I know hoping to become a CM soon. Basically she lives on a ground floor flat and has a decent size private garden - her flat is of a decent size and is 2 bedroom and when she had a visit from the early years team was told she may only be able to mind 1 other child as she has a 3 year old herself. So what I wanted to ask is, are there any minders here working from a flat and how many children have you been allowed to mind, or do you know the answer (approx) to this question?) I know its a tricky question but she really needs to be able to mind more than 1 for financial reasons?

Any advice appreciated ;-)

I live in a ground floor flat in a block of 4. I have a private front & back garden too and there was absolutely no problem for me registering. I am registered for 4 plus my daughter. There is plenty of space in my flat & in my garden so it was never a problem. I'm really surprised to hear that your friend might only be able to mind 1 other child. What reasons was she given?

Emler x

The amount of children you can look after depends upon the amount of space available you have for the children to use.

Here are the minimum requirements per child

Under 2................3.5 Sq. Mtrs
2 Years................2.5 Sq. Mtrs
3-7 years.............2.3 Squ Mtrs

Requirements also state that:

Calculation of space for each child cannot include areas used for storage, halls and landings, cloakrooms, utility rooms and toilets. Only free space that is available for children's use may be counted. However, the space taken up by toys, equipment and furniture used by the children may be included.

Best thing your friend can do is to have a measure up and that should give her the answers she needs.

HTH

Great thanks for that, I am sure she will be pleased. She was told a few things from the early years lady that I personally think is tosh so I am not sure she was that clued up, or is just being over cautious?

She really only needs to be able to mind 2 or full time, or the equivalent of in order for it to work - I currently min her daughter and as childcare is a real pain for her (she is a nursery nurse anyway) she thinks this is the best option.

Fingers crossed she has enough space, ill get her to measure p ;-)

Yeah it sounds odd to me that she had been told she could only mind 1 -hopefully like you said the lady was being overly cautious for whatever reason.

Hope she manages to get it sorted out :)