Education Minister announces reform to cut childcare costs

Elizabeth Truss, the education minister, is giving a speech this morning announcing plans to overhaul childcare rules. According to the new rules, nurseries and childminders in England are to be allowed to look after more children per adult in an attempt to cut childcare costs and boost standards.

Liz Truss has said that the ratio of children to child carers can be raised but only if the carers' qualifications meet new standards.

Ms Truss said this morning: "We regulate the wrong thing. Rather than focusing on quality we focused on quantity, and if you look at other European countries they look at how qualified are the staff. Statutory ratios for carers per child vary on age and setting, but the plans increase them by 50% in some cases."

Critics warn the change in ratios could compromise quality and safety. They also predict the changes will be unpopular with parents and unlikely to reduce the overall costs of childcare.

Ms Truss has announced that where there is an early-years educator working with children, the plan is to allow ratios for two-year-olds to rise from four children per adult to six children per adult. And for ones-and-under to rise from three children per adult to four children per adult.

Ratios for three-year-olds and over would remain at eight or 13 children per adult, depending on whether a qualified graduate was present.

Ms Truss has also said that the proposed reforms will require childcare professionals to have a GCSE grade C or above in English and maths.

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