One of our social media aims for 2022 was to cover more current stories relating to the sectors we End Point Assess and this news is just something that we feel we have to post about.
Alex, our marketing man, posted yesterday, I am NNEB qualified, and as we’ve mentioned so many times before, passionate about early years.
This recent article about a review on ratios in early years, took me back to 30th January 2013 when I wrote a similar post on a personal blog I had at the time. I find it shocking that nearly 10 years later, and when their own government-commissioned report advised against it last time, people are again thinking this is an option! Reading the article, it is obvious I am not the only one.
In a nutshell ‘Expanding the number of children per staff member or relaxing other rules are being reviewed by children’s minister Will Quince, who is undertaking an international comparison as part of attempts to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.’
So, here’s a recap of some of my thoughts from the last time the government thought this was a possibility:
- I defy anyone to tell me that 2 members of staff with 12 two-to-three-year old’s is beneficial to either children or staff. It was always the room staff wanted to move around in as it is so exhausting. For me it was always my favourite. They’re learning to talk. To feed themselves. To push boundaries. Let’s not forget temper tantrums! Toileting. It’s never-ending changes and excitement.
- It is known that nursery staff are not paid great wages – that has always been the case – but I think it highly likely that staff will wonder why they are so exhausted for such a poor wage.
- As an EYP you are going to spend a lot of time taking children to the toilet in the 2-3 room. Does that mean you are leaving ONE member of staff with 11 children while you do this? I know some nurseries will have more than 2 staff regardless of the ratio requirements, but let’s not kid ourselves here, there’s going to be a lot of owners out there who have already worked out how much better off financially they are going to be with less staff. The stories I used to hear – and my own experiences from temping – makes me shudder at the thought.
- And don’t get me started on 1:4 for babies or I shall have to put my tutor hat on and start lecturing about attachment theories
- The Minister is going to look internationally at other systems used. I would point out that in many countries, children start school till around 6. Four and one day is too young in my book. As well as the fact that childcare is respected and paid well and you are encouraged/need to be higher qualified.
- Maybe the Minister would like to spend a whole week from 8am to 6pm in a room of 12 two-to-three-year-olds with one other member of staff?
