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Consultation launches on ‘flawed’ plans to relax childcare ratios

2 mins read Early Years
The government has launched a consultation over controversial plans to relax childcare ratios for two-year-olds in England.
Providers have criticised the government's plans. Picture: Adobe Stock
Providers have criticised the government's plans. Picture: Adobe Stock

The plans, which were first suggested by children’s minister Will Quince in March, would see ratios in nurseries changed from 1:4 to 1:5 staff to children, bringing England in line with Scotland.

According to the Department for Education this could “potentially eventually reduce the cost of this form of childcare by up to 15 per cent, or up to £40 per week for a family paying £265 per week for care for their two-year-old”.

However, providers have branded the DfE’s claim “fundamentally flawed”, noting that the government’s calculations are based on all nurseries and pre-schools working to maximum ratios “at all times”.

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