Staff:children ratios, breaks, etc

[TheBuggerofSuburbia]

Can someone clarify something for me please? Do the legal adult:child ratios for nurseries have to be adhered to at all times? If a member of staff is on a break, changing another child, getting equipment for another room, in other words, not in the room for whatever reason, should another member of staff cover them so that the ratio be maintained at all times?

Now I've written it down, it sounds like a stupid question, because what's the point of ratios if they're not maintained?

Several times lately - since DS has moved into a room for 2-3 year olds - when I've dropped him off or picked him up, there's only been one member of staff in the room, and there's been more than four children. Today, the 2-3s and 3-5s were all in the same room, ten of them, and only one member of staff. I'd be grateful for some feedback - I don't feel one person should be in charge of 10 children!

Sorry quick post but didn't want to leave your question unanswered.
In short - yes ratio's apply at al time. Can be lower if some children asleep but then staff member must be able to be called back if necessary.

However in most nurseries there may be a few minutes where someone has popped to get something, but should not be a regular thing.

Ooo that's a bit naughty, 1:10!

For breaks, yes a member of staff should cover them, for changing nappies, it's alright but good practice to cover them.

Agree with Dribble yes if a member of staff pops out to a peg or to change a child in the changing room then they are still counted in child:adult ratio. So 1:10 could have been the 1:4 for the 2-3's and 1:6(can be 1:8) for the 3(+) year olds - with 1 member of staff getting something out the art cupboard or taking 3 other children to the toilet, or changing a nappy in an adjacent room.

Thanks for the replies. I think it's ok if a member of staff has just popped out for a very short time for whatever reason, but that's not what's going on. Time for a chat with nursery I think!