Liz Truss said to be considering removing ratio rules
By Rachel Lawler
The Times has that Prime Minister Liz Truss is considering “abolishing ratio rules” completely.
Earlier this year, the government consulted on plans to increase the number of two-year-olds each adult could look after from four to five.
However, The Times is now reporting that the Prime Minister is considering ditching these plans in favour of removing the rules on ratios altogether, allowing providers to choose for themselves how many members of staff they require.
The Times says that the plans are part of a “drive to make childcare cheaper”.
"Devastating" impact
Neil Leitch, CEO of the , commented: “We hope against hope that reports that the Prime Minister is considering abolishing ratios rules is just a rumour as the impact it could have on the early years sector and families, would be devastating.
“Let’s be clear, this would be an unacceptable solution to rising costs. Most importantly, it will greatly increase safeguarding concerns and sacrifice safety in settings, that in and of itself, cannot justify any benefits the government may be imagining.
"We know that it is extremely unlikely that ratio changes will lead to any cost savings for parents as settings will be forced to use any savings to plug the significant shortfall between sector funding and the cost of delivering early education. Clearly, it will pile even more unnecessary pressure on a sector that is already doing its best in unimaginably challenging circumstances.
Consultation with sector
“In her conference speech Liz Truss declared that her government is one that listens, but frankly the early years has yet to see evidence of that.
"If these plans are more than a rumour, the government must consult on these changes, and if they do, we know there will be an overwhelming opposition from providers and parents alike.
"Once again, we urge the government to listen and rethink any current or future deregulation plans rather than charge ahead with ridiculous, far-fetched and extremely dangerous policy ideas that will have dire consequences.”