Blogs

Save our staff: child ratios

4 mins read The Early Years Blog
In 2013, then Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education) Elizabeth Truss decided to pursue a plan to reduce staff:child ratios.
June O'Sullivan speaks out against relaxing staff:child ratios. Picture: LEYF
June O'Sullivan speaks out against relaxing staff:child ratios. Picture: LEYF

It was very unpopular and was roundly rejected by the sector and parents. 84 per cent of parents disagreed with a change. Her rationale was that fewer regulations would reduce childcare costs. Her somewhat limited research was based on a flying visit to France to check two nurseries there.

Now, the current Minister, Will Quince (who we hardly know and few of us have actually met) wants to replicate her action. He mooted the idea in October 2021 as a means of reducing parental fees which raised the sector hackles and his department quickly denied it. However, in a recent interview on Radio 4 with Nick Robinson about the high cost of childcare, he confirmed that the Government is planning to review Early Years “regulations” which he asserts are too tight.  

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here


More like this

Hertfordshire Youth Workers

“Opportunities in districts teams and countywide”

Administration Apprentice

SE1 7JY, London (Greater)

Pause Practitioner - Public Health

Hackney, London (Greater)