Early years union tells DfE to strengthen childcare ratios not reduce them

Within its response to the consultation on relaxing childcare ratios, which closed last week (16 September), Community, the union for education and early years professionals, highlights its concerns around Government proposals to increase the number of children aged two and above, staff in childcare settings can care for.

It argues that the proposed changes risk children’s safety, could harm their development and would increase staff stress and workload.

The union goes on to outline its and its members’ concerns, they include: 

• Being able to closely supervise two-year-olds working to a reduced ratio. Members said it would be ‘impossible’ to clean and change children safely within the current ratios if there were no other staff available to support.
• Children with SEND not having their needs effectively met if ratios are changed.
• Comparing Scotland’s model of childcare to that of England’s as Scotland requires early years staff to hold higher qualifications.
• How adequate supervision while children eat can be implemented if staff have to look after more children?

Community’s consultation response states, ‘Even when eating a packed lunch children may try to share food which prompts fears of allergies, or choking hazards, there are hazards associated with the correct use of cutlery and there are packages that will need to be opened, furthermore there is the ever-present risk of spillage. 

‘Without close supervision some of these concerns could result in serious emergencies, and even with close supervision some issues cannot be completely ruled out therefore it is essential that, when eating, providers ensure that children are properly supervised and within sight of a member of staff at all times.’

'It's funding that's the problem, not ratios.'

The union’s early years lead Letitia McCalla commented, ‘Community objects in the strongest possible way to the Government’s proposals.  

‘It is funding that’s the problem, not the ratios. 

‘Members have told us that their workload and stress levels are already very high. 

‘Changing the ratios risks harming staff wellbeing and having a negative impact on their mental health, driving workers out of the profession and making recruitment and retention issues worse.’