by: Michelle20 - 26-08-04 15:54
you say that the ratio within a nursery class is 1-13 is that with a nursery teacher and a nursery nurse? I used to work in aprivate school within the nursery i worked along side two nursery teachers ann an assiatant that was within a class of about 30.
by: jrennie1984
I work with 2 up to 3 year olds in Scotland and have been told the ratio is 1:5 but that it is acceptable to
*be left alone for a few min though sometimes a few mins means 15 mins in my work
*be 2 children over ratio as long as it doesn't happen often. I have on ocasion been left alone all day with 6 2 to 3 year olds
I was just wondering if anyone could tell me if this is true.
BBC's Real Story - 01-09-04 15:14by: calvin
the OSFTED regs (which I am not sure apply under scottish regs) are that the ratio applies ALL THE TIME with children.
We over staff our nursery to ensure that we always meet the ratio- even when staff pop to the toilet, take breaks etc
BBC's Real Story - 04-09-04 12:09by: theodore24
The toddler ratio is 1:4 right??
but I work in toddlers with children 18 months to 30months...that means half are under 2..so should our ratio be 1:3 or 1:4??
Each day we each have a group of about 7 children...the staff are in the nursery, just not with the children..I don't agree with that at all.Especially if i am left with 7 children, being unqualified.
BBC's Real Story - 06-09-04 15:12by: calvin
as per OFSTED/DfES guidance:
under 2 ratio is 1:3
aged 2 ratio 1:4
3 or over 1:8
if you have a mix of ages, then you have to calculate the correct amount of staff
this is WITH the children... not just in the building
BBC's Real Story - 08-09-04 20:38by: kimmie
i know what you mean i couldn't believe it myself what i want to know is why this is allowed to happen and how we can change it as none of what happned should ever be allowed to happend in any circumstances though it needs to change before anything else happends to those poor inocent children. i found it very upsetting as i was actually in tears watching it myself it needs to stop and now!!!! for the children's than anyone else's! kim x
BBC's Real Story - 21-09-04 13:45by: spannahxxx
I work in a large chain and find that the standards really go by how competent and hands on the manager is. Saying that my current room coordinator is always saying that Ofsted allow us to go one or two over the ratios. most of the girls in this nursery feel so under pressure and also that there is nothing we as the little people at bottom can do to change things that go on
BBC's Real Story - 02-10-04 11:44by: jrennie1984
I understand how pressured and stressed the girls working feel but "we as the little people at the bottom" can do something. I am lucky that I have a manager who listens to our concerns and ideas but If other nursery's feel they are getting no where they can complain directly and anonymously to the care commission (ofsted in England) My nursery was recently inspected and it was an inspector who informed me about this.
BBC's Real Story - 09-01-05 22:28by: kimmie
I thought that the programme was a disgrace it makes all nurseries look really bad but some aren't that bad some of other nurseries that weren't on that! are really good ones like the one I work at is well at least I think so anyway! kimmie x p.s people obviously choose to work with children in the first place so why exactly does this happend?
BBC's Real Story - 31-01-05 16:47by: smileybabe
In Northern Ireland the ratio is 8 children to each member of staff in a playgroup (3-4 yr olds) though on outings it it then two children to each adult.
In a schoolrun nursery it is 13 children to one adult.
