Staff ratios for reception at I dependent school

[Nummynums]

Hello
Hope someone can help
I have realised my dd on a few occasions hasn't been taught by her class teacher. Instead 1 HLTA and 1 other helper was present. There are 17 children in the class.

From my understand of the EYFS framework, the ratio should be 1:8, with one person with relevant level 3 (hlta) and one with relevant level 2 (not sure of qual of the helper) does that mean there should have been 3 members of non teacher staff? Does that mean they were breaking the law? I'm abit annoyed as I wanted to talk to the teacher and the hlta wouldn't let on the teacher wasn't in just that "she's not around, can I help?" I've noticed a few times in the morning, as I did today the class teacher not being there, I just assumed she was running late, as nobody said anything.

Would be grateful if someone could clarify the above for me
Thankyou

Sorry typo in the title, should read 'independent'

if this is a reception class, the ratio is one qualified teacher to 30 children

Hello, thanks for your reply -It's an independent school so their ratios are different, just to let you know

independent school teachers don't have to be fully qualified teachers.

Ratios don't apply like that once you hit school age. It's just no more than 30 kids per class in reception.

2 adults to 17 children is pretty good in reception to be honest! It's not like preschool age children where there usually are higher ratios.

No it doesn't differ at an independent school, if they subscribe to EYFS ie. accept EY funding and are Ofsted inspected , the same criteria apply. Presumably this is PPA time.

My children went to an independent school. Their ratios are not different they just choose to have smaller class sizes as a selling point.

1:8 only applies to nursery, not reception classes.

Children aged 3 and over in independent schools

The category of 'independent schools' used in the EYFS framework includes academies and free schools.

The category of 'independent schools' used in the EYFS Framework includes academies and free schools
Paragraph 3.35 of the framework says that where a person with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), Early Years Professional Status (EYPS), Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), or another suitable level 6 qualification, an instructor or a suitably qualified overseas trained teacher is assigned to the class:

For classes where the majority of children will reach the age of 5 or older within the school year, there must be at least one member of staff for every 30 children
For all other classes there must be at least one member of staff for every 13 children
At least one other member of staff must hold a full and relevant level 3 qualification
Paragraph 3.36 says that for classes of children aged 3 and over in independent schools where there is no-one present with the qualifications set out in paragraph 3.35:

There must be at least one member of staff for every eight children
At least one member of staff must be qualified to at least level 3
At least half of all other staff must be qualified to at least level 2

What would make an independent school so amazing that it would have different ratio laws?

The ratio of 1-8 applies in independent reception classes if there us no one with a suitable level 6 qualification present.
This is different to maintained schools

www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/335504/EYFS_framework_from_1_September_2014__with_clarification_note.pdf

Page 23 section 3.36

I am aware they don't need to be qualified teacher but have to be at level 6

Hlta don't count as relevant level 6 qual

It says eyfs that includes reception

Just want to make sure I've got it right in terms of the framework

That's right mrz
Can you tell me if I'm correct in them needing 3 staff? Providing they are even appropriately qualified

If there are seventeen children present then there should be 3 members of staff if there isn't a level 6 qualified person directly working with the class.

Were all 17 children present?

Sorry mrZ didn't realise you already posted all that

I didn't count but they wouldn't have known how many would turn up on the day iykwim?

I'd be surprised at a teacher" running late" to the extent of not being in class ready to teach. That has happened once in my whole career when the car broke down and I rang ahead.

I suspect whoever is on the door is planned to be on the door at that time.

The passage that mrz has quoted says that for a reception class - ie a class where the majority of children will turn 5 within the school year - it's 1 to 30.

It's only nursery classes of younger children where the lower ratios apply, and OP is asking about a reception class.

The qualified teacher is allowed to leave the classroom for various reasons (non-contact time, brief necessary absences, and a couple of others) provided that there is an adequately qualified person in temporary charge, under guidance from the teacher.

So unless this is a mixed nursery/reception class, and it is not the case that the majority of children will have turned 5, the school does not appear to be doing anything wrong.

No the passage I posted says that if there isn't a level six qualified person present (working directly with the children ) the ratio drops from 1:30 to 1:8

You are quoting from the guidelines which refer to age 3 and over, and I agree that the drafting is not as clear as it might be.

Once in a class where the majority will turn 5 by the end of the year, the minimum is 1:30, and classes can be left with suitably qualified individuals (under guidance form the teacher).

The other ratios apply "for all other classes" ie those where the majority will not have reached age 5.

And from NUT guidance:

"There are no statutory requirements specifically for such circumstances. The EYFS guidance advises that schools “should use their discretion in establishing ratios for these mixed groups based on the EYFS welfare requirements (that is, 1:30 for the reception group and 1:13, 1:8 and so on for the younger children)”. In exercising this discretion the school, and any partner provider, must comply with the statutory requirements relating to the education of children of compulsory school age children and infant class sizes."

that's what I thought mrz thanks for clearing that up for me

Yes but the class wasn't just left with a suitably qualified person, they were taught by them all day. The class teacher wasn't present on that day.

Who was the one other helper? Were they known to you?