Changes to Childcare Ratios Worry Cardiff Nursery Owner
News Release
29th January 2013
The owner of a Cardiff nursery says she’s relieved that Government proposals to increase the number of children nursery staff can care for at one time will not apply in Wales.
Children's Minister Liz Truss plans to raise the ratio of children to child carers in England – but only if the carers' qualifications meet new higher standards.
The proposals have been suggested in an attempt to cut childcare costs, increase the number of childcare spaces available and boost standards.
But Abeer Bafaqih, owner of Daisy Day Nursery in Cardiff and Barry, is unconvinced by the plans.
“I’m glad these proposals will not take effect in Wales because they are bound to lead to a drop in standards, and I worry that the quality of childcare will suffer,” said Abeer.
“Under these plans the ratio of staff caring for the under twos would increase from one to three to one to four. Looking after four babies on your own is too much for one person, even a mother. It’s not been well thought through.”
Abeer doubts whether increasing the ratios will lead to a cut in childcare costs for parents.
“Nurseries are businesses and in most businesses, even when overheads go down, the price to the customer doesn’t fall. Reducing ratios will not make childcare more affordable because the Government wants nursery staff to be better trained and better paid, so any savings will be used to raise staff salaries or increase the wafer thin margins that are common in the childcare sector.”
Abeer also questions whether the Government is right to focus on qualifications of nursery staff.
“As in many sectors, it’s the quality of the staff and the character of the person that’s most important,” she said.
“Hiring a person with better qualifications does not necessarily mean you’ll get a higher standard of care. It’s all about the person and how dedicated they are to caring for and developing the children.”
Notes to editors:
Childcare ratios for nursery staff are as follows:
CURRENT
- Under one and one-year-olds - 1:3
- Two-year-olds - 1:4
- Three-year-olds and above - 1:8 or 1:13 (teacher-led)
PROPOSED
- Under one and one-year-olds - 1:4
- Two-year-olds - 1:6
- Three-year-olds and above - 1:8 or 1:13 (teacher-led)
Daisy Day Nursery looks after children aged up to five at two settings in Llanishen, Cardiff and Barry.
The Llanishen setting has 57 registered places while the Barry nursery is slightly larger with 77 registered places.
The Llanishen setting opened in 2004 while the Barry nursery opened in 2010.
The company also runs Coconuts play centre in Barry.
Visit www.daisydaynursery.com or www.nutsaboutfun.com
Jez Ashberry
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
jez@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @jezashberry
Tags:
