While nurseries are allowed to use a staff to child ratio of 1:13 for three- and four-year-olds in graduate-led sessions, many choose not to and operate with a ratio of 1:8.
However, the DfE now appears to be renewing its efforts to encourage settings to make greater use of the higher ratio.
The move follows a comment by education and childcare minister Elizabeth Truss in July, saying she wanted more nurseries to offer education on a 1:13 basis led by degree-level staff.
Nursery World has learned that the DfE has spoken with a number of early years organisations and experts to determine 'barriers' preventing settings from using the higher ratio. Early Education, the Pre-School Learning Alliance (PLA) and National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) are among a number of organisations that have been contacted.
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