Whenever I need to give myself an exception or variation to have more than 3 children under the age of 5 ( which seems to happen on a regular basis as baby siblings join us, or current children add or change days ) I write myself a risk assessment ( VERY similar to the form you had to fill in for Ofsted in days gone by ) and put it in a file ( along with informing all 'affected' parents ).

The question is .... HOW long do you think I need to keep them? until that 'need' has passed? Until that child has left? until that child turns 21? or forever? !!!! I'm currently going through my files of stuff, and finding lots that is not relevant any more.

I'm wondering if maybe,, instead of keeping them in their own file, I should keep them with my attendance register or with with the child that needed the exception's paperwork?

Thank you if this has made any sense to you!