Nursery World - Ministers reportedly planning to change staff: child ratios for under-twos 'to cut childcare costs'

Sector organisations, nursery owners, childcarers and experts have vowed to oppose any attempts from the Government to relax rules on the number of babies and toddlers nurseries and childminders can care for in early years settings.

The Department for Education is said to be considering plans to change staff: child ratios so that one member of staff could look after five children under two PHOTO Adobe Stock

The move comes in response to news that broke over the weekend, which said that ministers are planning to reduce staff: child ratios to cut the cost of childcare.

A front-page exclusive ran in The Telegraph on Saturday under the headline, ‘Childcare staff rules relaxed to lower costs.’

The newspaper reported that ‘allowing carers to watch larger groups of children could cut amount families pay, ministers believe, as they address the cost of living crisis’.

The article said, ‘Officials are looking at changing the rules so one staff member can supervise five children under two rather than the current limit of three. Education sources argued that allowing childcare workers to watch larger groups would force down the amount parents have to pay.’

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