Ask the Expert: Proposed childcare ratio changes
June O’Sullivan
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Are the ratios for looking after children in early years settings going to change?
The government’s More Great Childcare document includes plans to reduce ratios for children under three. Providers will only be allowed to operate higher staff-to child ratios if they employ high quality staff. The government believes this will give providers more flexibility to run their services.
Currently subject to consultation, the plan is to increase the number of two-year-olds with one staff member to six, and to have one adult with four babies. This is most likely to be for shorter periods of time, rather than for full day sessions. Childminders will also be allowed to increase their ratios.
The consultation is seeking opinions on what qualification requirements will enable providers to operate the proposed higher ratios and outlined a number of scenarios.
If you are worried about the changes, make sure you access the report and complete the consultation.
Answered by June O'Sullivan, chief executive of the childcare charity and social enterprise, the London Early Years Foundation
Email questions, marked “Experts”, to cypnow@markallengroup.com
