The Education Department has released the official document - More Great Childcare (pdf)
Quickly skim reading the document, it does contain some phrases that keep the new ratios optional:
"Childminders will be free to carry on using existing ratios and parents will be able to choose childminders who care for fewer children if they wish."
"It should be stressed that these ratios will be maximum legal limits - no settings will be obliged to use higher ratios, and parents will still be free to choose nurseries that operate on existing ratios if they prefer."
Training wise, it seems that Government will "consult on the qualification requirements which will support this additional freedom." So it may be some time until new childcare courses are developed.