2 to 11 year olds in same room

2 to 11 year olds in same room

by: thumbelina - 31-01-13 22:56

I have just taken over as nursery manager at a local setting. We run sessions from 8 til 3.30 with children 2 to 4 years old but after 3.30 a small ( usually between 4 and 8) children from the attached school come over ranging from 4 to 11 years old. We operate in one room so the children age from 2 to 11 years share the same space. A local headteacher said that that she doesn't think we are supposed to have the 2 year olds in the same room as the older children. Does anyone have any further info on this? Obviously it isn't ideal for either age range but it is the only viable option as the after school club would run at a considerable loss most evenings. Any thoughts or info would be gratefully received.

by: bagpuss

Hello when I opened my day nursery i incorporated a kids club however Ofsted were specific the over 5's had to have their own room.  I therefore closed my kids club when Nursery childrens places took over.

by: thumbelina

Hi thanks for your reply. just wondered the approximate date of this OFSTED stipulation. Think I need to check this out further.

by: purepurple

In the revised EYFS (and indeed the old one) it states that any care provded for older chidren shouldn't impact on the quality of care for the younger children.

So I guess it is down to the provider to show how having older children present is beneficial to the younger children.

by: Jumping Jax

We run activities for children and often have mixed age ranges in the same room. It is rarely about the quantity of children, but more about the quality of children. If the older ones are are kicking a ball and there is a real risk of the younger ones being hurt then you have a problem

However, I find that the younger ones love having the older ones there, they read stories to them, they colour in with them, they play with them. For children who have no siblings, it gives them the opportunity to see how a bigger family environment can work.

Jaki