The 10-year childcare strategy action plan published last week revealsthat ministers are to consult on new staff-to-child ratios for overthrees.
They will propose one adult to eight children in some circumstances andone adult to 13 children for a limited period each day "when a graduatelevel professional is present together with a staff member at level3".
The Daycare Trust said it would fight the move. Vice-chair Susan Haysaid: "We will resist these extensions because they signal a reductionin the individual attention children require."
The National Day Nurseries Association said the plans could disadvantageprivate and voluntary providers who cannot afford the salaries ofgraduate workers.
John Richards, who leads on childcare issues for Unison, said theunion's early years forum was due to discuss the issue this week.
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