staff ratios

[micegg]

Does anyone know what the staff ratios should be for under 2's? I beleive it's 3:1.
Lets say there are 6 children and 2 staff would that be OK if one of the members of staff was 'floating' in and out of the room to answer the door , etc meaning she was out of the room at times.

I only ask because I picked up DD today (she was 2 yesterday but the others are under 2) and she was in the room with 4 others. Nursery nurse 1 gave me the report and nursery nurse 2 answered the door to me (no where near the room), went back in the room ahead of me and then left again whilst I was there meaning that nursery nurse 1 had 5 kids in her care (4 if you don't include my daughter as I was there). We are trying to potty train at the moment and today hasn't gone so well when nursery nurse 1 said she "found it difficult to potty train with 5 or 6 kids to look after" i became a bit suspicous. Then when we got home DD had nappy rash which she definately didnt have this morning. Don't get me wrong I have no problem with her getting nappy rash as she tends to get it at home occasionally but when you add up the apparent lack of staff numbers it looks to me as though she hasnt received the attention she should have.

I dont want to hurl in making accusations so just want to check exactly what the ratios should be and what the rules are relating to whether all people should remain in the room at all times before I say anything.

[RubyShivers]

the ratio is 3:1 for under 2s and if there are a lot of young babies then it should be 2:1
i think popping out to answer a door is ok - however long term it is not appropriate and i think you should raise it with the manager in light of the comments from the nursery nurse

[mumofhelen]

Smug mother here but for some reason I feel compelled to write. My dd nurseries (she attends two different ones) would never get in this situation because they have a strict ratio of 1 adult to 4 children + one assistant - usually a student on placement - who floats around, opening/locking doors, answers phones, makes snacks, cleans up after children etc.
Another thing - don't take this personally but you'll probably will but here goes: I would be bothered if my dd developed nappy rash within a day. Nappy rash can occur due to teething - but your dd is 2 so I don't think the nappy rash is due to teething - but more likely is because your dd urine reacts with the faeces on the skin, which is compounded by the length of time in an air-tight environment, i.e the nappy. It is indicative of a nappy being left on a child for a prolong period. Hence the advice to let babies run around nappy free whenever possible or change nappies regularly and certainly promptly after each bowel movement. Nappy rash is unpleasant and uncomfortable for a child. I would consider nappy rash as a problem to be taken seriously. Anyway, the sentence "found it difficult to potty train with 5 or 6 kids to look after" is an admission of a breach in statutory staff ratios, which is 1 adult to 3 children for under 2's and 1 adult to 4 children for 2 year olds, so either way, your dd's nursery is in breach of OFSTED regulations. Admitting this to a parent is rather flipant in my opinion. I do understand the member of staff - put yourself in her position, would you be able to look after 6 children and deal with their differing toilet needs? However, at the end of the day, you are paying for a service - presumably - or someone else is and staffing ratio should not be your problem. If you are happy with this situation, then fair enough. Personally, I would be livid.

[bossybritches]

Yes the ratio's are 1;3 for under 2's (1:4 for 2-3's & 1:8 for 3-5's) & you are supposed to have cover for any staff leaving the room. It may be "only a few minutes" but with 6 babies that's over 15 minutes twice a day that they are under ratio without breaks/nappies/toiletting.

Have a word with the manager & raise your concerns it may be a wake-up call if she thinks someones paying attention.