My questions were;
Dear sirs,
Please could you clarify 3.40 of the revised eyfs.
I understand we no longer need to apply for variations for sibling children of current mindees along as we have risk assessed and can show competence to parent/carers and inspectors. And we do not exceed six children under eight years old.
Is this accurate?
Does this also apply for continuation of care, so for children we already care for on three days needs a fourth, we no longer need to apply for a variation to accommodate this families request?
I currently care for a child holidays only as she attends preschool in the term time (9-3) mum is having a baby and would like the baby to come to me 9-3 all year round, so both children in the holidays. If the above is correct I am assuming I can reassure mum I can accommodate baby?
3.40 also states where children aged four or five only attend the childminding setting before/after normal school day and /or during school holidays, they may be cared for at the same time as there other young children. But in all circumstances the total number of children under eight being cared for must not exceed six.
Are these children still counted as over five if I am caring for four (or five) young children to accommodate a continuation of care or sibling care request?
The response;
Dear Ms Xxxx,
Further to your query about point 3.40 of the revised EYFS, the revised Framework does not come into operation until September 2012. Therefore at present you will need to comply with the requirements of the EYFS as it stands.
With reference to continuity of care in 3.40 in the revised Framework, this refers to caring for more than one under one, in order to accommodate the sibling of a child already in attendance. It odes not refer to exceeding three children in the Early Years age range. Please refer back to point 3.39.
At present if your conditions of registration include being able to care for children aged 4-5 years in full time education as being in the older age range for numbers, then any children in this age range in full-time education can be counted as an older child. Point 3.40 of the revised Framework says that this will also be so from September.
The EYFS is not Ofsted's document. It is produced by the Department for Education and you may wish to check your understanding with colleagues there. We will also follow it up on your behalf and produce any additional guidance when we update our current factsheet on numbers and ages of children that childminders may have.
Yours sincerely
Val Whitmore
Early Years Quality Manager
Quality Assurance National Team
Clear as mud!
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