Staff to children ratios

Every setting has to make sure they have enough staff for the number of children they care for:

• For children aged 2 there needs to be 1 staff member for every 4 children.
• For children aged 3 to 5 there needs to be 1 staff member for every 8 children.

The exception to this is staff in a School Foundation Unit or Maintained Nursery School, who hold a Qualified Teacher Status or Early Years Professional Status, in which case it is 1 staff member for every 13 children.

Help and advice

Visit the Family and Childcare Trust website to find advice about the different types of childcare available, what to think about when visiting a childcare setting, finding childcare for children with special educational needs and disabilities, and helping with childcare costs. The Early Years, Childcare and Play in Wokingham hub provides advice and support for parents.

The government is introducing new ways to help parents with childcare costs. Visit the Childcare Choices website to find out more.