Clegg intervenes to sound death knell for ratios policy

A damning briefing issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister today states that increasing child-to-staff ratios would “not result in lower childcare costs”, would “undermine the quality of care and learning” in early education, and could “put children at risk”.

The document also states that providers would not take up the changes – “because parents don’t want them”.

It also highlights the extent to which the issue has split the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition - a section titled “myth busting” refutes many of the arguments put forward by the chief advocate for the policy, Conservative childcare minister Elizabeth Truss.

Top of the list was the government’s claim that other countries have higher ratios than those in England.

The briefing says: “It is very difficult to compare the childcare systems of different countries because they are so different and have far tougher regulation and inspection regimes."

Truss has frequently cited France’s childcare system as the blueprint for what she would like to see in England.

But the document says the French system is incomparable because “the majority of under-threes are cared for by their parents”.

This morning, a Number 10 spokesman confirmed there had been a consultation on the issue, and that the government would set out a package of measures shortly.

He was unable to say whether this would be made in the following days or weeks.

During a briefing, the spokesman also refused to comment on whether Clegg’s announcement had been agreed with the Prime Minister in advance.

He said only that the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister had discussed childcare a great deal because it was an important part of policy.

Making the announcement, Clegg said criticisms from providers, experts and parents had convinced him the proposals would not work.

He said: “When you are talking about something this important to parents, I think it is imperative to be led by the evidence - which is overwhelmingly against changing the rules on ratios.? 

“The proposals to increase ratios were put out to consultation and were roundly criticised by parents, providers and experts alike.? 

“Most importantly, there is no real evidence that increasing ratios will reduce the cost of childcare for families.? 

“The argument that this will help families with their weekly childcare bill simply does not stack up.? 

“I cannot ask parents to accept such a controversial change with no real guarantee it will save them money - in fact it could cost them more.”