by: purepurple - 23-10-12 11:56
I would be interestd in how other settings apply the 1-13 ratio for teachers and EYPs.
Our setting only applies it to the person with the higher qualifcation. So they could have 13 and another lesser member of staff could only have 8.
Instead of being able to have 26 between the two of them, like in a nursery school for example, they would only be able to have 21.
Is this how it works?
by: bagpuss
It is 1:13 with an approved level 6 member of staff, with a Level 3 as well I read it that you can have 26 in total. But what I want to know who is supervising the toilet run if you only have 2 staff to 26 children and one has an 'accident'?
by: Tish501
Well said and just what we say at my nursery...I could keep my 23 children with 3-- 2yearolds 20.. 3/4 year olds with only 4 staff but I don't (can't !!) because of just that...a nappy change takes 1 out of the equation....accident outside at same time...leaves 2 with 21 children...unworkable...unsafe...so a good nursery will be over ratio at all times...but i know lots of nurseries work below ratio and get away with it...but how long before a safeguarding issue arises at those settings ?
RE: RE: When does the 1-13 ratio apply? - 24-10-12 10:53by: Smallfry
That is because they are profit-making and paying staff peanuts x It's all about the money.
by: EMMA!
An I right in thinking the 1-13 ratio only applies to schools and nurseries and not childminders???
by: Tunja
That's correct even if they are also an EYP it is still 1-3 under fives.
by: Smallfry
Nurseries are like factory farms looking after folks kids that cannot be bothered and making dosh..oh how they are rubbing their hands getting wee dafties on crap money to graft for them lol xxx
by: whmon
There are not that many nurseries making 'dosh' Smallfry. Most owners buy nurseries because that is what they want to do with their lives. Also, I have never met an owner yet who treats their beloved business like a factory farm. Instead, they strive to make their nursery the best it can be so that the children in their care benefit, learn, and flourish.
Similarly, I have never met a parent who uses a nursery because they 'can't be bothered' with their children. They use nurseries for a variety of reasons, all good.
As for staff wages, the norm is that the staff get paid more than the owner does.
by: Maureen Askew
Well said whmon, many independent nursery owners are only just keeping their heads above water. The majority of nursery owners I have worked with as a business consultant; opened their nurseries because they love children and want to provide high quality care. Many would love to pay their staff more than they currently do but just can’t afford to, increases in minimum wage, overall running costs, and changes in attendance patterns are all squeezing the profit margins. Nursery chains are in a slightly better position but still face the same challenges.
The 2 year old free places and the workplace pension reform are just 2 of the challenges on the horizon
by: Rosieme
The 1-13 ratio applies when there is a qualified teacher and a level 3 child care/education qualified person. Therefore in most maintained nurseries attached to schools, there are 2 members of staff to 26 children. Yes, as mentioned above, this does cause concern, as just because someone has teacher status, it does not make them super human. With freeflow indoor-outdoor play, changing nappies, dealing with accidents etc. Life can be very stressful when you are trying to maintain the highest quality care for the children. They too only have one pair of hands and one pair of eyes. It also makes the key person system very hard to maintain. We currently have 19 key children each, but it has been as high as 28!