question on numbers??

**Hebs** · 15-02-2009, 04:11 PM

i am registered for 6 children under 8

i know for ins purposes we can have 12 children (inc my own 2) so this means i can have 4 over 8's

BUT

what happens if i'm at home and son has friend over.... do they come into your numbers even though you arn't really minding them (IE getting paid) as they are just over to play????

Pipsqueak · 15-02-2009, 04:17 PM

yes they will still come into your numbers - its how many you are being responsible for

**loocyloo** · 15-02-2009, 04:18 PM

hi, i might be wrong, but i have always been under the impression, that unless a visiting child has a parent with it, then they count in your numbers!

loocyloo xxx

Pipsqueak · 15-02-2009, 04:19 PM

if the visiting child is with parent - then the parent remains responsible and in charge of said child

**Hebs** · 15-02-2009, 04:20 PM

just thought i'd ask, only have 2 mindees at the moment

does the same go for older children, like my daughters friends who are teenagers?? whats the "cut off" age or isn't there one?

Pipsqueak · 15-02-2009, 04:26 PM

urgh, now you got me, never had to think that far ahead. I'd give Ofsted and your insurance a call and try to get a definative answer. I'd be really interested in that answer

**Hebs** · 15-02-2009, 04:28 PM

i think i will

cos it seems unfair that cos i'm minding my kids can't have older friends over, i mean this is their house afterall

will let you know

**gigglinggoblin** · 15-02-2009, 04:38 PM

Dont forget to call council planning dept if that applies in your area, I am registered for 6 under 8 so ofsted said i can have 6 plus however many over 8s - planning only allow 6 under 14 in my area, that includes friends unless their parent is present

**Hebs** · 15-02-2009, 04:43 PM

so does this mean if we've had a house full of kids over for birthdays we've been breaking the law then???

cos even though you arn't minding them, you can only have 6 children under 14

aly · 15-02-2009, 04:48 PM

I had the impression {maybe sarah could confirm/disagree} that as long as they are playdates or friends they do not count in your numbers as you are not getting paid..?

hope someone could clarify this.

Pipsqueak · 15-02-2009, 04:48 PM

I would highly recommend that if planning depts aren't already sniffing around then don't even disturb them. My poor friend has been severely resticted by some very petty minded official persons at planning who actually didn't have a clue what they were talking about. Sadly though they can override what numbers Ofsted say you can have - so leave well alone if they are not involved.

thinking about it if we are on all 3 registers, then we can care for kids right up to the age of 18yrear old (can you imagine

) so if for instance a 17 yr old has his 3 mates over, all age 17, then are you responsible for them? Bit of a mine field here

**Hebs** · 15-02-2009, 04:51 PM

i can understand little ones being counted cos they need more supervision than an older child.

my son and his friend have been upstairs on the xbox360 most of the day, so seems silly that they would count in my numbers when i'm not actually doing anything for them

**sarah707** · 15-02-2009, 06:04 PM

My understanding has always been that during working hours you can only have the amount of children in the house that are up to the maximum on your certificate.

Even if you are having friends of your children free of charge, you are legally not supposed to have them in the house or garden.

It's because even though they are not causing any trouble or might be tucked away in a bedroom somewhere, you are still responsible for them if they are on your property.

It's a tough one on your children and you need to be careful they don't get resentful.

**Hebs** · 15-02-2009, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by sarah707

Even if you are having friends of your children free of charge, you are legally not supposed to have them in the house or garden.

.

so they can't even be in the house while i'm minding? even if i'm under my numbers??

how on earth am i supposed to tell my kids that they can't have friends round, esp during the long summer holidays

thats SO not fair

**sarah707** · 15-02-2009, 06:37 PM

You can only go up to the numbers on your certificate... so if you are allowed 6 under 8, then 6 is your maximum.

For over 8s, I'm not sure on the rules but like other people have said there might be both insurance and planning implications.

Sorry if I wasn't clear

**Hebs** · 15-02-2009, 06:41 PM

well it would never be my under 8's as the friend my son has round to play is 10.

my daughter goes out with her friends so its very rare that her friends will be an issue.

to be fair in the summer they play out, only come in after tea to go on xbox when i don't want son walking the streets.

**PixiePetal** · 15-02-2009, 08:29 PM

I thought it was the usual 6 under 8 and could have 6 between 8 and 14. Including your own, max 12 children IYSWIM.

Don't plan on having too many in my little house! My own are 12 and 14

**gigglinggoblin** · 15-02-2009, 08:33 PM

Council told me any child under the age of 14 you are looking after (ie if their parent is not present) counts to the 6 under 14 rule. It will affect my kids aswell, I have 4 of my own, 2 over 8 so wouldnt count towards the 6 ofsted allows me but they do count towards planning. I guess the problem occurs if someone else brings it to the attention of the planning dept. I think you would be safe to call them and ask, no one asked for my name or address when I rang.

**Hebs** · 15-02-2009, 08:45 PM

seems i've opened a can of worms here

so why do ofsted say 6 under the age of 8
Ins say 12 children inc own
council say something else??

TBH i'm starting to question why i'm minding if my own kids can't have a life, it defeats the object

**sarah707** · 15-02-2009, 08:49 PM

You can apply to the council to ask for extra children.

They charge for it... every planning dept will have a different charge...

Then they write to all your neighbours to see if anyone has any objections.

If I remember rightly it takes about 3 months to get their reply... but don't quote me on that.

I looked into it when my partner registered with me as the maximum was 6 children... so I asked them what it would take to up our numbers. I decided it wasn't worth the hassle as I don't want the neighbours knowing my business.

However, your council might be different. It doesn't cost anything to ask the question!