The consultation, which closed on 16 September, sought views from childcare providers on proposed changes to childcare regulations in England, including the relaxation of staff:child ratios from 1:4 to 1:5 for two-year-olds.
The Department for Education has said the move would be introduced in a bid to reduce childcare costs for parents.
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In their responses to the eight-week consultation, early years leaders have warned that a ratio change will reduce the quality of care provided and adversely impact child welfare. Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance (EYA), commented that relaxing ratios would be “a catastrophic and retrograde step for the sector”, and argued that sufficient funding is the only way to achieve affordable, quality, and sustainable care and early education.
DfE is yet to issue its response to sector views on the changes, with its website stating that is it currently “analysing feedback”.
However, in his first mini-budget as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng today (23 September) announced plans to “bring forward reforms to improve access to affordable, flexible childcare”, prompting further concern among sector leaders that the government will “go ahead with its relaxation plans”, despite consultation responses.
EYA’s consultation response “firmly opposes” the proposal, citing their survey of more than 9,000 early years settings. Despite, the government aiming to lower childcare costs for parents amid the current cost-of-living crisis, the research found that “only 2 per cent of nurseries and pre-schools believe that parental fees at their setting would lower as a result of changes to ratio rules”.
Proposals for ratio changes are based on levels currently used in Scotland, which the government has referenced as an example of good practice.
However, in its response the EYA said: “While much has been made of the fact that these ratios are used in Scotland, national membership organisation Early Years Scotland has in fact stated that: ‘We would argue that there is always an argument for reducing ratios, as this would be of clear further benefit to children’s care and learning’.”
The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) has also responded to the consultation, with 83 per cent of members disagreeing with the proposed change.
Its response also highlights research among members which finds that 74 per cent of research providers would not implement the ratio change.
On a similar point, Leitch warned that in settings which do, “it will drive down quality and worsen the already catastrophic recruitment and retention crisis the sector is grappling with”.
The majority of respondents to the consultation also expressed concern for the wellbeing of children, particularly children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND).
NDNA’s membership polls indicate that 90 per cent of nurseries asked were “concerned about the impact of proposals on those with SEND and those from disadvantaged backgrounds”.
Members agreed “the government must also factor in funding rates, space requirements, staffing qualifications and children with SEND who needed higher levels of support”, when considering adult: child ratios.
June O’Sullivan, chief executive of the London Early Years Foundation expressed a similar concern in response to the consultation, arguing the change will “significantly reduce the time available for staff to spend with each child”, particularly for younger children “whose welfare and development are closely linked to social interaction and forming secure attachment relationships with adults”.
