To ask about staff:child ratios in playgroup

[kininabul]

We're looking at putting DS into playgroup for a few afternoons a week. He just turned 2 and is our first so we're kind of clueless on it all and what to look for. We do not live in the UK.

We found a very nice one which is all focused on letting the children experiment, etc., has a really nice building and gardens, staff were really nice. They take 0-5 year olds and said they have 20 kids in total, although obviously not all are there all the time.

Thing is, when we were shown around, the main group was outside playing, and there were 10 kids in total (looked like ages ~18 months to 3 years old) and just one staff member with them. Seemed a bit off to me. I asked the woman showing us around about ratios and she said they have 6 staff members there full time, and at most 20 kids at any given time. But that doesn't really count if one staff member was in the nap room, one in the kitchen, one showing us around and just one with the 10 kids outside, does it? (don't know where the other two were! Maybe she counted the one on reception?) Bear in mind it's a pretty big place.

AIBU to be concerned about that?

Anyone?

It all depends on where you are, like the uk would need 2 staff per 8 children as its 4 to a keyworker I think for 2 year olds here

The staff member showing you around, would possibly been the 2nd one from the outside group. And the kitchen wouldn't require a full time person - maybe he/she normally works with the kids. I'd ask what the staff normally do, if you're concerned.

I think most nurseries here will work on the same, so, 1 staff to 4 kids, in total. But one of those may be making the snack, one may be washing up paint pots, and the others with the kids. If there is a problem, if a child falls over, it is simple for the person at the sink to come over and help.

Hmmm thanks. Only thing is it's difficult to tell from a walkaround what part each person plays, really. It's a big place with big gardens, if a child decides to walk round to the back garden while the rest are in the front, does that one staff member leave the other 9 to go look for him? Or what?

Maybe I'm being too PFB about it all though.

You need to ask what the keyworker to children is

They absolutely should have had 3 staff with the children. It would definitely concern me. But ratios will differ if you're outside the UK

Trust your gut. If you don't like somewhere for any reason, or for no reason at all really, then just look elsewhere. You definitely get a feel for places and you have to be confident in where you send your child

Ratios will be different in different countries, I guess go and look at a few more local ones and see what the staff numbers are like to get an idea of what's the norm for where you are?

Problem is we really liked the place in all other aspects! There aren't so many rules and regulations here and people are more laid back about stuff like exact ratios, but I know they exist in the UK for safety purposes, and I want my child to be safe!

I guess go and look at a few more local ones and see what the staff numbers are like to get an idea of what's the norm for where you are

Yeah I think that's a good idea.

In England in pre-schools and private day care minimum ratios are
1 staff to 3 children aged under 2 years
1 staff to 4 children aged 2 years
1 staff to 8 children aged 3-5 years

Unless member of staff is qualified teacher with QTS or EYP or EYT status in which case that can work on a ratio of 1 to 13 for children aged 3-5 years.

Not sure about ratios in other countries.