Knowing your child will be looked after when you leave them in childcare is the most important concern for any parent. When you're choosing a nursery for your child, one of the most vital things to understand is staff-to-child ratios.
Knowing your child will be looked after when you leave them in childcare is the most important concern for any parent. When you're choosing a nursery for your child, one of the most vital things to understand is staff-to-child ratios.
But what exactly are nursery ratios, and why do they matter so much? The team at Nuuri has broken down the regulations across the UK so you know what to expect and what to look for when you’re finding childcare for your little one.
What Are Nursery Ratios?
A nursery ratio (also called a staff-to-child ratio) is the legal minimum number of children that one adult can supervise at any given time. For example, a 1:3 ratio would mean one adult can care for a maximum of three children.
These ratios are set by law to ensure children are safe, supervised, and their needs are met. They're more than recommended guidelines; childcare ratios are legal requirements that every registered nursery, preschool, and childminder must follow.
The ratios vary depending on the age of the children, because younger children of course generally need more intensive supervision and personal care. A baby needs more attention than a four-year-old, so the ratios reflect this, regardless of whether it’s at a nursery pre-school, or with a qualified Early Years Practitioner or childminder.
If you’re planning childcare around school start dates, What Age do Kids Start Nursery in the UK? explains typical timelines across the UK.
Why Do We Have Nursery Ratios?
Nursery ratios are really important for a few reasons:
Safety: With the right ratios, there are enough adults to keep children safe and respond quickly to any issues.
Individual Attention: Lower ratios mean each child gets more one-to-one attention, which is especially important for younger children who need more personal care. Of course, ratios can have an impact on nursery waiting lists, so it’s important to plan ahead and factor this in where possible.
Quality of Care: Research shows that lower ratios lead to better quality care, more responsive staff, and better outcomes for children's development.
Peace of Mind: Knowing the ratios helps you understand whether your child will get adequate supervision and care.
Legal Requirement: Nurseries must meet minimum ratios by law. If they don't, they're breaking the law and putting children at risk.
Nursery Ratios in England
England has specific regulations set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Make sure to check the latest guidelines for your area to get the most up-to-date ratios.
Nurseries, Nursery Schools, and Pre-Schools in England
Children Under 2 Years Old
- Ratio: 1 adult to 3 children (1:3)
- This is the most intensive ratio because babies need constant supervision, feeding, nappy changes, and emotional support.
Two-Year-Old Children
- Ratio: 1 adult to 5 children (1:5)
- This changed from 1:4 in 2023 as part of government efforts to increase childcare capacity while maintaining safety standards.
Children Aged 3+ (without Level 6 qualified staff)
- Ratio: 1 adult to 8 children (1:8)
- This applies when no staff member with an approved Level 6 qualification is working directly with the children.
Children Aged 3+ (with Level 6 qualified staff)
- Ratio: 1 adult to 13 children (1:13)
- This higher ratio is only permitted when a staff member with an approved Level 6 qualification (such as a qualified teacher or early years teacher) is working directly with the children.
Childminders in England
Childminders can care for a maximum of 6 children under age 8 at any one time. Of these:
- A maximum of 3 can be young children (up until 1 September following their fifth birthday)
- There should be only 1 child under the age of 1
- Childminders are allowed to care for more than 3 young children if they're siblings of children they already care for or the childminder's own child.
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Nursery Ratios in Wales
Wales has its own National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare. The Welsh regulations are slightly different from England's, particularly for two-year-olds.
Nurseries, Nursery Schools, and Pre-Schools in Wales
Children Under 2 Years Old
- Ratio: 1 adult to 3 children (1:3)
- Same as England, reflecting the intensive care needs of babies.
Two-Year-Old Children
- Ratio: 1 adult to 4 children (1:4)
- Wales maintains a lower ratio for two-year-olds compared to England, requiring more staff per child.
Children Aged 3 to 7 Years
- Ratio: 1 adult to 8 children (1:8)
- This covers the Foundation Phase age group in Wales.
Children Aged 8 to 12 Years
- Ratio: 1 adult to 10 children (1:10)
- For older children in out-of-school care or after-school provision.
Childminders in Wales
Childminders in Wales can care for a maximum of 10 children up to 12 years of age at any one time. Of these:
- No more than 6 can be under 8 years of age
- Of those 6, no more than 3 can be under 5 years
- Of those 3, normally no more than 2 can be under 18 months
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Nursery Ratios in Scotland
Scotland has its own system managed by the Care Inspectorate. The Scottish regulations are based on the Health and Social Care Standards and reflect Scotland's approach to early learning and childcare.
In Scotland, ratios are set through registration conditions and guidance from the Care Inspectorate, rather than a single statutory ratio table.
Nurseries, Nursery Schools, and Pre-Schools in Scotland
Children Under 2 Years Old
- Ratio: 1 adult to 3 children (1:3)
- Consistent with the rest of the UK for the youngest children.
Two-Year-Old Children
- Ratio: 1 adult to 5 children (1:5)
- Same as England's current ratio.
Children Aged 3 to 8 Years
- Ratio: 1 adult to 8 children (1:8)
- For settings where children attend for more than 4 hours in any one day.
- Ratio: 1 adult to 10 children (1:10)
- For settings where children attend for fewer than 4 hours in any one day (such as morning-only or afternoon-only sessions).
Children Aged 8+
- Ratio: 1 adult to 10 children (1:10)
Childminders in Scotland
Childminders in Scotland can normally care for a maximum of 8 children under age 16 at any one time. Of these:
- No more than 6 can be under 12 years of age
- No more than 3 can be under primary school age
- No more than 1 can be under 1 year old
- Note: These numbers include the childminder's own children or family members, whether they're present in the service or not.
Key Differences Between England, Wales, and Scotland
| Age Group | England | Wales | Scotland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 2 | 1:3 | 1:3 | 1:3 |
| 2 years | 1:5 | 1:4 | 1:5 |
| 3-7 years | 1:8 (or 1:13 with Level 6 staff) | 1:8 | 1:8 (or 1:10 for <4 hours) |
| 8+ years | N/A | 1:10 | 1:10 |
Wales maintains a lower ratio for two-year-olds (1:4) compared to England and Scotland (1:5), meaning more staff per child in Wales during this age group. England allows higher ratios for three-year-olds if a qualified teacher is present (1:13), which Scotland and Wales do not.
What About Special Circumstances?
All three countries allow for variations to the standard ratios in special circumstances, such as:
- Children with additional support needs or disabilities
- Siblings under one year old
- Specific layout or premises considerations
- Other circumstances that support the best outcomes for children
If your child has additional needs, it's worth discussing this with the nursery to understand how they'll support your child and whether adjusted ratios might apply. As always, variations and changes might apply, so make sure to check everything when you visit the nursery.
How to Check Nursery Ratios When Choosing a Nursery
When you're first applying for and visiting nurseries, here's what to ask and look for:
Ask About Staffing: A great question to ask the nursery manager is about their staff-to-child ratios. They should be able to tell you exactly what ratios they operate at.
Check Qualifications: Ask what qualifications the staff hold. This determines which ratios they can work under.
Verify Against Regulations: Cross-reference what they tell you against the regulations for your country. Make sure they're meeting legal minimums.
Look at Ofsted/Care Inspectorate Reports: Read the inspection reports for your chosen nursery. These will detail whether the nursery is meeting ratio requirements.
Use Nuuri: On Nuuri, you can read reviews from other parents about their experiences with staffing levels and whether children seemed well-supervised. Parent reviews often mention whether staff seemed stretched or whether they had time for individual children.
Observe During Your Visit: When you visit the nursery, observe whether staff seem calm and engaged with children, or whether they seem rushed and overwhelmed. This can give you a sense of whether the ratios are working in practice.
Why Some Nurseries Might Have Better Ratios Than the Legal Minimum
Many quality nurseries choose to operate with better (lower) ratios than the legal minimum. For example, a nursery might operate 1:2 for babies instead of the legal minimum 1:3. This is a choice they make to provide higher quality care.
Better ratios mean:
- More one-to-one attention for each child
- More time for staff to respond to individual needs
- Better settling-in experiences
- More opportunities for meaningful interactions
- Lower staff stress and burnout
When you're choosing a nursery, it's worth asking whether they operate better ratios than the legal minimum. This can be a sign of a quality centre that's committed to providing excellent care, and is one of the many benefits of nursery care for your child.
How Ratios Affect Your Child's Experience
The ratio directly impacts your child's experience at nursery:
With Better Ratios: Your child gets more individual attention, more responsive care, more time for meaningful interactions, and a better chance to settle and thrive.
With Minimum Legal Ratios: Your child still gets safe, adequate care, but there's less one-to-one attention and staff may be busier.
The difference between a 1:3 and a 1:5 ratio for two-year-olds might not sound huge, but it can significantly impact how much individual attention your child receives throughout the day.
Use Nuuri to Find The Best Nurseries Near You
When you're searching for a nursery, use Nuuri to find settings in your area and read parent reviews. Parents often mention staffing levels and whether they felt their child was well-cared-for and had staff attention.
Start your nursery search with Nuuri to find the perfect fit for you and your child.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, all registered nurseries, preschools, and childminders must follow the legal minimum ratios. If they don't, they're breaking the law and their registration can be removed.
Yes, many nurseries choose to operate with better (lower) ratios than the legal minimum. This is a sign of a quality nursery committed to providing excellent care.
If a nursery fails to meet the legal ratios, it's a serious breach. Ofsted or the Care Inspectorate can take action, including issuing warnings, requiring improvement, or removing the nursery's registration.
This depends on the regulations and the specific role. In some cases, the manager can be counted in the ratios if they're working directly with children. In other cases, they can't. It's worth asking the nursery how they count their manager.
If your child has additional support needs, the nursery may be able to vary the ratios to provide more staff support. This should be discussed when you're choosing the nursery and before your child starts.
You can check the Ofsted or Care Inspectorate inspection report for your chosen nursery. These will detail whether the nursery is meeting ratio requirements. You can also ask the nursery directly and observe during your visit.
No, childminder ratios are different and generally allow for fewer children. Childminders typically care for smaller groups than nurseries, which can actually provide a more intimate, family-like environment for some children.
