Staff shortfalls 'put education at risk'

The 'erosion of staff ratios' combined with a dearth of early years specialist teachers is threatening the quality of education on offer in nursery classes, according to a leading early years consultant. Margaret Edgington, who is vice-president of the National Campaign for Real Nursery Education, said that the 'long-standing' staff ratios of one specialised teacher to every 26 children in a nursery class and 1:20 in a nursery school, are 'gradually eroding' in some parts of the country.