Nursery World - Ratios made more flexible for childminders with 30-hours children

Childminders may be able to operate outside ratios if they are providing wraparound care for children taking up the 30 hours in England.

The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed to PACEY that childminders delivering wraparound care for a three- or four-year-old taking up their 30-hour place at a maintained school, academy or independent school, may be able to invoke the exception to the usual staff to adult ratio of 1:3 for under-fives, as stated in the EYFS.

According to the DfE, childminders may be able to care for more than three children under the age of five if:

Findings from a survey of 1,365 childminders by PACEY last month showed that 61 per cent had been asked to deliver a 30-hour place this term. Of those, 42 per cent had been asked to deliver a place in full, and 58 per cent an extended place in partnership with another provider.

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