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Pre School Ratios


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This may sound a really silly question but it's bugging me so hope someone can help me out!

 

I am aware that the staff:child ratio in pre school settings is 1:4 for under 3's and 1:8 for the older ones. So if you have 16 children of which 4 are under the age of three I presume you need one member of staff for them and two others for the remaining 12 children ?

 

I have come across another persons interpretation of the figures as being 16 children of which no more than four are under 3yrs only requires 2 members of staff?

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The way I understand it Geraldine is that if you have 4 under 3's you need 1 adult, if you have 3 under 3's you can include a 3 or 4 yr old still with 1 adult, but if you have 5 under 3's you can not include the extra under 3 within the 3/4 ratio, you would still need another adult. In other words 3&4's can be inclusded in the U3's ratio but not the other way round. :o Hope thats as clear as mud :D

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Sorry could I just put what Rea said round another way so I can see if I understand correctly!!

 

The 2-3 year old ratio is 4 children to one member of staff. If you have three 3 year olds that means that the member of staff is 1 child 'down' so they could look after a 4 or 5 year old too.

 

However, it doesn't work the other way - i.e if the member of staff looking after 4 year olds (Ratio 1:8) only had 7 children you can't add in a 3 year old.

 

Is that what you are saying?

 

Like Geraldine I find the interpretation of the ratios confusing!!

 

Our company policy is that you never mix age groups but it seems others do!!

 

Help!! :o

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You've explained that better than I did Orange, but yes thats about it. We have to mix as we're in one room, I personnaly think the children have greater benefits than by not mixing although I know the majority of nursery's dont do it. :D

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Thanks for your replies and think I have got it!

 

So 16 children and 2 under 3yrs would mean

 

i member of staff for the two tinies plus 2 older ones

 

that leaves 12 children so we would still need two more staff??

 

This is the ongoing debate - I am told its only 2 and I think thats wrong as it sounds as though they are mixing 'the wrong way round'?

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