Ratios in Nursery

[DCW]

I currently teach in a LA school nursery 26 place am /26 place pm. We are in the process of setting up 2 year old provision which I will also oversee. I understand the ratio for 2 year olds is 1:4 and that's fine. I'm now being told I will have possibly 30 children in the 3/4 year old provision but will not get an extra member of staff (me and level 3 TA currently) as we could mix with the 2 year olds and there will be extra staff in the room. My understanding is a ratio of 1:13 would still stand as the  extra staff are correctly in ratio with the 2 year olds, am I correct?  It's also been put to me that as we are a school infant class size could be applied (1:30) but I'm under the impression this is only when children reach reception age.

I have already been told I'm incorrect but after reading the statutory guidance again I'm still of the same mind.

 

[finleysmaid]

the 2 year olds must be in a 1-4 ratio ..

so are you saying 2 for 26 3 year olds....and then adding i staff member for 4x 2 year olds to make 30? 

in this case yes you could have 3 staff for 30  . Not sure it would be great for the 2 year olds and you would have to risk assess how you are going to meet their needs i think. 

[DCW]

No the 3 /4 year olds will go up to 30 with the 2 year olds in addition to that.

[finleysmaid]

27 minutes ago, DCW said:

No the 3 /4 year olds will go up to 30 with the 2 year olds in addition to that.

then to my mind this is not allowed....should be 2 to 26 if one qualified as an early years teacher then i for the 2 year olds and another for the other 4 x3 year olds. I don't think school numbers apply until reception as you said. To be frank the money you get paid for the 2 year olds is not worth it. They have VERY different needs even if they are only a few weeks before 3