So confused - numbers

**Topkad84** · 10-09-2012, 01:52 PM

Hi,

I'm confused if I can take on a new mindee.

I have my own 2yr, a 3yr before nursery and pick up at 11.45, his brother 5yr before and after school, and a 2yr 3 full days a week (mum works rota so different 3 days a week).

I have someone enquire about taking her 16 month old to nursery 5 days a week and possibly a Monday afternoon every now and again.

Can I do this under the new regulation. Do I need to talk to Ofsted ?

**bunyip** · 10-09-2012, 04:42 PM

Read EYFS Statutory Framework sections 3.39-3.41. The ratios under 'new improved' EYFS are exactly as they were under old EYFS.

I'm assuming your 5yo is either out of the EY stage (had his 5th birthday before 31 August last) or counts as such because he's in full time education.

That leaves you currently with three EY children: your own 2yo, a 2yo mindee and a 3 yo mindee, at various times of the week. Any time that you have all 3 of these, then your quota of EY children is full. You can only take the 16 month old at times that you have only 2 of those EY children.

You may have heard of CMs taking on a fourth EY child on Ofsted's overarching principle of "exceptional circumstances", but it really only applies to providing continuity of care for an existing family, and usually only because their work hours have changed or they have a new baby. It's not really there for what's referred to as "new business."

Sorry no-one has answered earlier, but I guess so many members have "read and run" because this topic has had a lot of coverage recently.