Change in nursery ratios ‘to improve standards’

Nurseries and childminders in England are to be allowed to look after more children, in a package ministers say will improve quality and cut costs.

The ratio of children to carers can be raised, but only if carers' qualifications meet new standards.

Children's Minister Liz Truss said the proposals would make more childcare places available and reduce costs for parents in the “long term”.

Critics warn the change in ratios could actually compromise quality of care.

England’s nursery ratios

CURRENT

• ·         Under one and one-year-olds - 1:3
• ·         Two-year-olds - 1:4
• ·         Three-year-olds and above - 1:8 or 1:13 (teacher-led)

PROPOSED

• ·         Under one and one-year-olds 1:4
• ·         Two-year-olds - 1:6
• ·         Three-year-olds and above - 1:8 or 1:13 (teacher-led)

There’s a bit of a contrast here, I’m struggling to grasp how nurseries can provide better care by being allowed to look after more children, that doesn’t make any sense.

That line of improving quality is clearly there to try and soften the impact of the next phrase which is the main aim of this proposal to cut costs.

But the government can’t just say we’re cutting childcare funding, so they have to invent this pseudo ideal that it will benefit everyone, even if it's blatantly obvious it won't. 

I wonder if this is the first place the government has looked to try and raise some of the £32bn needed for the HS2 high-speed rail.