Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Rejected
Paragraph: 123
Monitor staff:child ratio changes, reverse if quality suffers, and develop comparable staff qualifications.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government’s controversial changes to staff:child ratios be closely monitored and reversed if quality and education outcomes are seen to suffer. If the Government’s goal is truly to “bring the UK in line with Scotland and comparable countries”, this change should be accompanied by a strong focus on developing staff qualifications to the comparable level in these countries. This should be supported by a larger piece of Government research to better determine the optimal mix of qualification in early years settings.
Government Response Summary
The government has proceeded with changing staff:child ratios from 1:4 to 1:5 for two-year-olds and does not commit to reversing this change if quality suffers, but highlights efforts to improve workforce quality through reviewed Level 3 qualification criteria and a consultation on EYFS flexibilities.
Paragraph Reference:
123
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
3. ... • Committing to providing flexibility for group-based providers, which is why we have proceeded with changing staff:child ratios from 1:4 to 1:5 for two-year-olds in England. This will align us with Scotland and bring the UK in line with other comparable countries. ... 4. These reforms will be underpinned by provision that is high quality, safe, and meets the needs of children, including those with SEND and those most affected by the pandemic. The early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework sets the standards and requirements that all early years providers must follow to ensure every child has the best start in life and is prepared for school. ... 5. The high quality of our early years and childcare sector is a testament to the ongoing dedication and hard work of early years professionals. The Government has invested in improving the quality of the workforce, who make a huge contribution to young children’s lives. ... 97. Level 3 early years educators make up a significant proportion of the workforce. We have reviewed the level 3 qualification criteria which will lead to higher-quality training for early years educators and better education and care for children in settings. ... 99. To ensure the sector is ready and able to offer the new early education entitlements, we are making career development in early years a priority. We are committed to delivering flexibility for providers to help them meet the ambition of the Spring Budget investment and as a first stage in growing and supporting the early years workforce, in June 2023 we launched a consultation on a package of possible flexibilities that could be introduced to the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Our priority is to give providers the flexibility they want while protecting the quality and safety of settings.