Do you work in the sector OP? Because the vast majority of Early Years practitioners that I've heard from across the country think very differently.
From my perspective I don't see how these proposals would make a positive difference at all. How can potential level 3 trainees be effectively supported to learn on the job if we're reducing ratios? Or are we just going to say, "well, you've been here 6 months now...?" Who's assessing their knowledge, and how? There's already huge drives to reduce practitioners paperwork responsibilities because it takes them away from their time with the children - as reflected in the recent changes to the eyfs framework and supporting documents. Shall we just give them more to do in a different area instead?
Also, when are these quiet times?! Most settings already reduce at certain points in the day, hence different shifts, but do the children staying after 4pm for example not have the same level of need once the clock hits a certain point? Do we care less about their well being and safeguarding during these 'off peak' times? Yes of course at after school clubs and wraparound care companies can operate on different ratios, but they're not looking after 2 year olds.
Why are we having less level 2 qualified staff and who are we replacing these with?
Why are we reducing ratios when settings across the uk are struggling to recruit and retain staff? Or are we proposing to reduce because of this? Better move those goalposts to fit. Those I've know personally who've left the sector have done so because of how challenging the job is when fully staffed. Increasing work load and responsibilities isn't going to help. It'll maybe slow down the closure of settings because the legalities have changed. But who's going to want their child looked after in those circumstances? Less staff, who are more stretched. And who wants to work like that when you have little people to think about at the centre of it all?
The Early Years has changed dramatically over the last decade. Children need more support than ever before in a wide range of areas. Blame covid, screen time, parents working full time or whatever factor is in fashion this week. Children's development and behaviour is overall incredibly different from even 5 years ago. Many settings are also seeing a huge increase in numbers with sen. And alongside this, we are experiencing huge delays and waiting lists when accessing outside services. And guess who's responsible for filling this gap? Taking extra training, running more and more La directed intervention groups etc? Not that I mind - love that aspect of the job, but on top of everything else the pressure is huge.
This is for many children their first experience of being away from their families and their first steps into education. They deserve to have the best, and as a country we are not doing this very well.
The government love to have their say in all things childcare don't they, while simultaneously under funding every funded child's place - and let's not talk about sen budgets. I can't see how they will ensure pay rises universally when a large majority of settings are PVI. They've already shown that they are not willing to look at existing pay scales re early years teacher status though maybe they will introduce something or similar for La run settings.