Nursery World - Analysis - Why changing the rules is no easy fix to cost challenges

With childcare ratios yet again in the spotlight, what do the Government’s plans to align England with Scotland really mean for early years settings? Catherine Gaunt reports

Ministers want to change the number of two-year-olds staff can care for from 1:4 to 1:5

For the second time in a decade, ministers view raising the number of children staff care for in early years settings as the answer to making childcare more affordable, while the sector and parents have once again overwhelmingly mobilised to oppose the move.

Children and families minister Will Quince has confirmed a consultation will be held ‘before the summer’ on ‘mirroring’ the Scottish model – a maximum ratio of one adult to five two-year-olds, instead of the current ratio of one to four for two-year-olds.

The Government argues that one to five works in Scotland, so why not in England?

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