Originally Posted by
FussyElmo
This is taken from the removed factsheet
Exceptions to the numbers and ages of children
Looking after more children in the early years age group3
5. In some circumstances, childminders may care for more children in the early years age group, providing they do not exceed the maximum number of six children at any one time. These circumstances are exceptional and are not intended to be the norm. How to decide on when to apply such an exception is explained in paragraphs 6–9. Childminders do not have to inform or seek permission from Ofsted to change the number of children they care for. However, they must be able to demonstrate at all times that they meet the needs of all the children who attend. This includes their care needs and helping them to make progress in their learning and development.
6. Paragraph 3.40 in the EYFS allows childminders to care for myears age group if the children are aged four and five and attend other provision for a normal school day4 and/or the school holidays.
7. Paragraph 3.29 in the EYFS also allows childminders to care for more children, including babies, in the early years age group through an overarching ‘exceptional circumstances’ statement. In each case, before agreeing to take on a baby or older child as an exception, the childminder must make sure they can continue to meet the needs of all the children who attend, including making sure children are safe and that they receive an enjoyable and challenging learning experience. The childminder must make this decision in relation to each child they care for as an exception. Paragraph 3.29 does not give the permission to operate with more children in the early years age group at all times without an assessment as to whether an exception is appropriate.
8. Ofsted may also restrict the number of children childminders may care for through conditions of registration. We will only do this in circumstances where we judge a childminder cannot care for the full range of children, for example because they have a medical condition that might prevent them from lifting children.
9. In all cases, when deciding to care for additional children in the early years age group childminders should consider:
the length of time they are providing care
whether their furniture and equipment is sufficient
how they will deliver the learning and development requirements of the EYFS to all the children they care for and help them make the best possible progress
how they organise their day so that all children get enough of their time
whether they have assessed and mitigated any risks in relation to taking on any additional children, for example through considering how they might have to rearrange play spaces to cope with an extra child or manage outings.
however with this now not being updated and removed can we still refer to it?