FSF Event - Breakout Room Question 2 - In the light of the announcements about ratios – are you planning to relax your ratios, or will you stick to your existing ratios? What are your reasons for this, and how are you planning on funding this?

[Stephen]

[Jules]

There was a lot to say about ratios in the discussion room I attended. Here are a few of the things people shared: 

Concerns about keeping children safe.

And about how to maintain high quality interactions with children.

Worries were also shared about how a relaxing of ratios would impact children with additional support needs.

There was also a reflection on the impact a change in ratios would have on interactions with parent/carers – e.g. making time for those important connections at the beginning and end of the day, that communication and connection.

Worries about retaining qualified and experienced staff came up in relation to the ratios question as well. 

[Helen]

It really seems clear to me that the current consultation which includes the proposal to move to 1:5 ratio, is really to address the staff shortage and high costs of provision. My view is that if this goes ahead, provision will be poorer and parents won't benefit from a reduction in fees. So nobody wins.