Can you have 7 children if there is a set of twins amongst the 7?

Hi there,

I have four children of my own. At the moment all below 12 so included in my numbers.

I have heard of a parent looking for a childminder on a Saturday for 4 hours for her 3 children. A 7 year old and 3 year old twins. I have passed on my contact details for her to contact me. Now I am thinking I wouldn't be able to mind the 3 children.

For some reason I thought the care inspectorate would count twins as one child in terms of ratio. Thought I read that somewhere?? Now I think this is only if they are under one and already have a sibling in your care. It is all confusing.

Also, although my husband is not a childminding assistant he is off on a Saturday so would be responsible for our 4 children. Do you think the Care Inspectorate would allow me to mind the 3 children. I will phone them tomorrow and get some clarification but think it is a no as I will be going over the 6 ratio.

Any opinions?? Thank you. Oh I am in Scotland. Thanks.

Assuming Ofsted in England is the same......no you can't count twins as one and no you can't have more than 6 children

I know Scotland has different rules but in Wales it would be a definite no too.

But they may be able to register your DH as an assistant which may allow an increase in numbers by one for the Saturday. When you speak to them mention that it is a Saturday and that it is three children as there are not many childminders that work on a sat and if they agree to you dh being an assistant they may rush it through IYSWIM. Not sure about Scotland and assistants though. In England & Wales there are also sometimes Local Authority planning rules about having more than 6 children sometimes including your own sometimes not.

No - you have a maximum number of children by law just like in England - twins = 2 children.

Hth :D

Sorry but I think its a big fat NO, You may be granted a variation to have the extra twin but if you've only been minding a short while they may not grant it.

You can only ask scswis but last time I enquired was told it could take upto 3 months for it to be verified.

Thanks everyone. Think it is a no then. I will speak to SCWIS tomorrow but doubtful.

Think the parent is really, really struggling to find childcare on a Saturday. Oh well. Thanks again.

In England you would be okay if any of your own children were 8 or over, but I'm afraid I don't know about Scotland.

Thanks for that. Two of my own children are over 8. So out of the 7 children here on a Saturday, 5 are under 8.

There are different rules in Scotland. You can only mind 6 children under 12. Come June my eldest turns 12 so at least then I will have a bit more flexibility.

I thought it was 6 under 16?

Oh is it littlechick. Why do I think 6 under 12? I'll need to check my registration certificate. I'm about to speak to a parent about a potential mindee tonight (not starting til August) though never the less will need to clarify before phone call tonight.

Found this on the Falkirk Council website. I knew I had read somewhere about twins not always counting as 2 spaces. Though do agree that 2 children are the work of 2 children whether they be twins or not.

How many children will there be with a childminder?

"Childminders can care for up to six children aged under twelve at any one time, of whom no more than three are not yet attending primary school and no more than one is aged under 1. The childminders own children would be included within these ratios. In the case of twins or triplets the are Commission can alter a childminders registration certificate so the childminder can accommodate these families, contact Care Commission for more
advice. Childminders who work with an assistant may look after more".


I would have probably had to get a variation from the Care Inspectorate or maybe it is for situations when you are already caring for an older sibling.

At least I know my numbers are ok for August as it is 6 children under 12.

I'm not in Scotland but I seem to remember a thread a while back that different areas have different ratios , some 6 under 12 some 6 under 16. Depends where you live