The Government's revision of the rules to permit 17-year-old trainees to be included in staffing ratios has prompted fears that standards are being diluted.
But some leading figures within the sector argue that with adequate controls and supervision in place, it is possible to count 17-year-olds in the team and still provide quality childcare.
The guidance issued by Ofsted, in support of the revision to the national standards for daycare, says, 'If your trainees are 17 years old or older, they may be included in the staffing ratios, if you are satisfied that they are competent and responsible.'
The onus is on nursery managers to demonstrate that they are satisfied about the competence and responsibility of any 17-year-olds, says an Ofsted spokeswoman. 'A manager can do this in a number of ways, through good employment procedures, through on-the-job assessment, through staff appraisal and line management. Managers are required by law to keep a number of records about all staff. Ofsted would not expect additional records to be kept on 17-year-olds, but we would look at how the competence of all staff was assessed.
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