Nursery ratio

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My DD of 9 months old just had 3 days of settling in of 1h each at the nursery. She has been fine so far and seems quite happy. My only concern was that it felt very crowded. The ratio is 2 teachers to 8 babies (all under 2) in a small room (bedroom size). I am a first time mum and when I’ve discussed this with friends they said it’s pretty normal. No idea if I am being over sensitive. The settling in period is very hard on me. :( Would you find it acceptable?

Is this in England? It should be 1 adult for every 3 children under 2. If they have 8 babies they need 3 teachers.
There is also a floorspace requirement - 3.5m2 per child under 2. So if there are 8 or 9 babies, the room must be at least 28m2-31m2.

The ratio for children under 2 is 3:1. So 3 babies for each member of staff.
So 8 under 2’s would need 3 staff to be in ratio.

Those ratios are off and don’t be fobbed off if they try and tell you that members of staff in the office count (this happened to me). The staff have to be in the room caring for the children

Sounds terrible, they will enjoy going to a childminder more.

Thank you all for your messages. I will definitely raise it with them and I am now frantically looking at other options as it doesn’t seem they would be able to solve it. The prospectus did have 3 babies max. And yes this is in London.

Unfortunately it's now been clarified that the ratio is across the whole building

Ratio across the whole building is not strictly correct. Staff need to be ‘within sight or sound’ to be counted in ratio.
I would ask whether this ratio was a one off or if this is what regularly happens.
2 staff with 8 babies is really not good enough.

I’ve asked them on Tuesday and they said the ratio is 1:3 and that there are some staff who are more in ‘flux’ for when the numbers are higher; in other words the ratio is across the building. I just struggle to see how a staff ‘in flux’ will be able to spot a hungry or sleepy baby. I’m very disappointed as this is the only Ofsted Excellent in my area. The other nursery in my area is a big chain one with a ‘good’ rating, which I can’t imagine will be any better. I have contacted a few childminders but their numbers are 5+ children of varied age. How is this any better..

Read the ofstead report if you haven't. You might find the difference is something you aren't bothered by.

Exactly what @alyceflowers said.

I was a Childminder. Childminders are allowed 3 children under 5, one of which can be under 1. Exceptions can be made for continuity of care or siblings, so long as they can meet the children's needs, it's safe to do so and parents agree. In this instance never anymore than 5 children under 5 and no more than 6 under 8 in total. Generally speaking Childminders will have 3 under 5 in the day and then do wrap around for school children.

I wouldn't be happy with a nursery who do ratio across the building, it's technically allowed but it's not good practice and should be the exception and not the rule. I'm equally as worried about the size of the room. I would personally find somewhere else if it were me.

@strawberryfluff Yes, you’re right. I have booked a visit to the other one too.
@MaverickSnoopy Thank you so much for clarifying this. I am meeting a childminder this week and hopefully they will respect what you’ve said.

It’s 2:1 in the nursery my friend works in for under 2s. I thought that was the law?

A childminder can have 6 under 8s but that would usually be something like a baby and two toddlers during the day, and three 5/6/7 year olds after school. It's more like a 'big family' set up than having one person trying to manage the needs of 3x 9 month olds at the same time.

I have worked in a nursery baby room and sent my own children to a childminder. The thing with nurseries is even when you have the correct ratio and say 3 adults and 9 babies - one adult will be spending half the morning doing a nappy run, another adult might be in and out warming bottles and putting babies down for naps, so a lot of the time it will be one adult sitting in the room trying to comfort/talk to/play with the other 7 babies.
At least with a childminder, if they have one baby who needs a lot of attention, the 2 and 3 year olds are usually a bit more independent and can play together and entertain themselves a bit more.

If 8 babies are awake it should be 1:3.so 3 members of staff as minimum. There is wriggle room if several babies are asleep (building ratio) but staff should be available to come into the room immediately if all babies awake.

Thank you all for your messages. They’re definitely super helpful. I’m now leaning towards the childminder idea. Now looking for the right match. I agree it’s important for the ratio to be right!

This whole building ratio and room ratio is really confusing. As is the legal qualifications.
A nursery I go to has 1 level 3 and 1 unqualified in the room. I thought that was illegal but going by this thread, I am now wondering if it is actually OK. Which is a little disturbing as if I were a parent, this would not fill me with confidence at all.
Also agree with @alyceflowers . Even when in ratio, the reality is, there's usually just one person with the majority of the babies while the others are preparing snack or changing nappies. That is incredibly hard work and I couldn't imagine being the one to look after 5 or more babies like the OP describes.