Guest Posted November 13, 2008 Posted November 13, 2008 Just a quick question.. I recently had a job interview and as I knew one of the questions would be regarding staff:child ratios I phoned Ofsted to find out what the correct ratios are. i was told 2 years is 1:4 and 3+ is 1:13 I questioned this as I thought it was 1:8 but she assured me it was 1:13. After the interview (luckily I got the job!) the chair said that I had got the answer wrong and it is 1:8... which is it?? thanks Quote
Guest Posted November 13, 2008 Posted November 13, 2008 I questioned this as I thought it was 1:8 but she assured me it was 1:13. After the interview (luckily I got the job!) the chair said that I had got the answer wrong and it is 1:8... 1:8 unless there is a qualifyed teacher present Quote
HappyMaz Posted November 13, 2008 Posted November 13, 2008 Welcome to the Forum, darlinbud! Congratulations on the new job, first of all. Wecome to the Forum. Perhaps now that you've made your first post you'd like to introduce yourself a bit and tell us about this new job of yours? Maz Quote
Guest Posted November 13, 2008 Posted November 13, 2008 Perhaps now that you've made your first post you'd like to introduce yourself a bit and tell us about this new job of yours? Hello, sorry should have introduced myself first! My real name is Claire and I have been an Pre-School assistant for a few months and have just been given the job of leader. It's a small village pre-School with only a few children. This is all very new to me and just getting head around all the paperwork!! xx Quote
HappyMaz Posted November 13, 2008 Posted November 13, 2008 This is all very new to me and just getting head around all the paperwork!! Well you've found the right place for support, advice and just to let off steam! We're all finding it hard to get our head round the paperwork, so you'll be right at home! Maz Quote
Guest Wolfie Posted November 13, 2008 Posted November 13, 2008 A warm welcome to the forum from me too! Quote
Inge Posted November 13, 2008 Posted November 13, 2008 welcome.. and it just shows how big O left and right hands say different things.. 1:13 is for QTS or EYPS otherwise 1:8- remembering of course this is the minimum ratio and not always the best one! Inge Quote
beth1 Posted November 13, 2008 Posted November 13, 2008 Welcome from me too, I agree with everyone else. Beth Quote
Guest MaryEMac Posted November 13, 2008 Posted November 13, 2008 Well done on getting the job and welcome to the forum. Mary Quote
Bliss Posted November 13, 2008 Posted November 13, 2008 Welcome, and congratulations on your new job! Since you raised the subject, I wondered if the ratios were to ensure enough staff were present within the setting, or, thinking about our outdoor area and "acceptable risk", if 1 practitioner was allowed to be outside with more than 8 children? If 9 children were out would another member of staff have to be outside too? We have free-flow in/out, and would be forever coming and going with the fluctuation of numbers! Would it be appropriate for 1 staff member to be with more than 8 children if they were taking part in sedate, calm activities, rather than all "high" on climbing frame, trampolines, see-saws, etc. In other words, can we use a bit of common sense? Quote
hali Posted November 13, 2008 Posted November 13, 2008 hello and welcome to the forum darlinbud i ensure that if we go over eight children outside there is more than one member out there. Quote
Inge Posted November 13, 2008 Posted November 13, 2008 we cannot have free flow so not a problem for us, but I can see the dilemma.. with 24 children and 3 staff.. if 10 are outside and 14 in how do you deploy staff to keep to a 1;8 ratio in both areas? Inge Quote
Guest mukerjee1 Posted November 13, 2008 Posted November 13, 2008 Well done, and welcome to the forum. I'm a newbie too - found lots of great advice already. Cheers chuck Fiona Quote
green hippo Posted November 13, 2008 Posted November 13, 2008 I asked my school advisor about ratios for indoors and outdoors - her answer was that the ratios stated are 'within your provision' which includes the indoor and outdoor area so we would be fine if more than 13 outside/inside at a time. She also said (as I know this has come up before) that we can allow free-flow outside without an adult outside all the time as long as we rick assess the outdoor area and section of any parts where the children would be completely out of sight. Again as the outdoors is part of the classroom this is all covered in the ratios. I think the key is to use common sense e.g. I wouldn't put out the climbing frame if an adult wasn't going the be supervising all the time. green hippo Quote
Shiny Posted November 13, 2008 Posted November 13, 2008 We have free flow access to 2 classrooms and outdoor area. We also have to leave the classrooms for the toilets. We deploy 2 members of staff in each room and 2 outside. One member of staff is on toilet run throughout the session. If one room/outdoors is really busy then another member of staff will move if required, but on the whole we stay in the designated areas. Everywhere is easy access and if required everyone is within 'shouting' distance. Quote
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