Nursery World - How will changing ratios affect childcare quality and costs?

Dr Sally Pearse of Sheffield Hallam University warns that the plans to change adult to child ratios in early years settings are 'flawed'

Dr Sally Pearse: 'Increasing the ratios will mean each child will have less individual attention at a time when this is most needed'

The recent announcement that the Department for Education is considering changing childcare ratios in nurseries – increasing the number of children one member of staff can care for - has been opposed by early years staff and parents alike.

The sector has raised concerns over government proposals to increase the number of two-year-olds that one member of staff can look after in early years settings in England from four to five.

Will Quince, the minister for children and families, said the Department’s plans, which will be consulted on over the summer, were about ‘improving flexibility and reducing the cost of childcare’.

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