Delivering his first Budget today (15 March), the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, announced the Government will change minimum staff: child ratios from one 1:4 to 1:5 for two-year-olds to give childcare providers more flexibility in how they operate and bring England in line with Scotland. However, he confirmed that the new ratio, which will come into effect from this September, will remain optional.
It comes after months of campaigning by childcare providers, early years organisations and parents against plans to relax staff: child ratios in childcare settings – a proposal which was included within a consultation last year into childcare reforms, under Boris Johnson's leadership.
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