Easing nurseries’ staffing ratio in the UK would be childcare ‘disaster’

Attempts to find savings to help parents pay the bills would only trigger an exodus of low-paid staff, a government study warns

Ministers are being warned against loosening the rules around the number of children nursery staff can care for, after it was revealed that regulations are being examined as a way of cutting costs for parents.

Expanding the number of children per staff member or relaxing other rules are being reviewed by children's minister Will Quince, who is undertaking an international comparison as part of attempts to tackle the cost of living crisis.