Government proposes staff ratio changes for out-of-school care

In its response to the childcare regulation consultation, the government said it plans to scrap the existing 1:8 staff-to-child ratio for children aged five to seven, as well as a requirement for a qualified childcare manager to be present.

Instead, ministers want to more closely align the number of staff in such settings with requirements for maintained schools and only have “sufficient staff” for a class of 30 children.

But NDNA chief executive Purnima Tanuku is concerned the proposals are too vague both in terms of the number and quality of staff present at out-of-school sessions.

She said: “A good provider with strong management will have a real understanding of what quality means, but a weaker setting may not. While we understand the Department for Education wants to allow some flexibility by allowing providers to use professional discretion it makes it a grey area, open to misinterpretation.”

Government plans to scrap the requirement for out-of-school providers to follow the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage have, however, been welcomed by the NDNA.

Tanuku said: “By removing that particular piece of red tape, children who have already had a full day at school will be able to spend their free time relaxing, playing and having fun.”

The government says it hopes the relaxing of regulations will make it easier for schools to offer out-of-hours care from 8am to 6pm to better “meet the needs of working families”.