nursery ratios and babies under 12m in nursery

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Nursery Ratios and Babies under 12m in Nursery From Peter Elfer (University of Roehampton) and Jools Page (University of Sheffield) (NB: The aim here is to be ‘brief’ and to focus on the key points of concern / evidence in relation to under one and the possibility of government recommending an increase in the numbers of babies from three to four that each practitioner should be responsible for ; we are of course aware that the ratios issue is complex, interrelated and affects the whole early years phase) Ratios, cost and quality The very high cost of nursery for parents, especially for babies, where ratios are highest, is well known. It is understandable that Ministers are concerned to reduce costs to parents. Nevertheless the media coverage suggesting a reduction of ratios for babies from 1:3 to 1:4 has raised real alarm. This alarm has been expressed by parents (Nursery World and MumsNet), individual professionals and researchers (Guardian), providers (NDNA, NW and Guardian) and organistions (Association of Infant Mental Health; NSPCC; Association of Child Psychotherapists; What about the Children?). The depth of concern is rooted in what is already well known about the emotional and physical demands of working with babies and the convergence of developmental psychology and neuroscience on the vital importance of attuned, sensitive and consistent early interactions). The evidence large cohort research Determinants of quality in nursery are multiple but generally divided into two groups, structural (ratios, group size, space and qualifications) and dynamic (curriculum, interactions, leadership and ethos). Reviews agree that: ...the strongest and most consistent predictor of observed positive caregiving in group-based early childhood settings was the adult:child ratio...caregivers provided more sensitive, frequent and positive care when they were responsible for fewer children ...the optimum ratio for under two year-olds in education and care settings was consistently stated as 1:3 (Dalli et al; 2011:103) This evidence replicates earlier work (Pessanah et al 2007; Melhuish 2004). The evidence case study research Minimum Ratios matter so much because whilst they do not guarantee quality (which of course depends on what the staff do) it is a pre-condition of it. No matter how well qualified, hard working, committed a staff member is, she can only work well with a small number of children. Those over one are beginning to have the confidence and resilience to manage and thrive in small groups. But under ones rely primarily on individual attention giving this concurrently to four babies is not possible. Giving it

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Page 1: Nursery Ratios and Babies under 12m in Nursery

Nursery Ratios and Babies under 12m in Nursery

From Peter Elfer (University of Roehampton) and Jools Page (University of Sheffield)

(NB: The aim here is to be ‘brief’ and to focus on the key points of concern / evidence in

relation to under one and the possibility of government recommending an increase in the

numbers of babies from three to four that each practitioner should be responsible for ; we

are of course aware that the ratios issue is complex, interrelated and affects the whole early

years phase)

Ratios, cost and quality The very high cost of nursery for parents, especially for babies, where ratios are highest, is well known. It is understandable that Ministers are concerned to reduce costs to parents. Nevertheless the media coverage suggesting a reduction of ratios for babies from 1:3 to 1:4 has raised real alarm. This alarm has been expressed by parents (Nursery World and MumsNet), individual professionals and researchers (Guardian), providers (NDNA, NW and Guardian) and organistions (Association of Infant Mental Health; NSPCC; Association of Child Psychotherapists; What about the Children?). The depth of concern is rooted in what is already well known about the emotional and physical demands of working with babies and the convergence of developmental psychology and neuroscience on the vital importance of attuned, sensitive and consistent early interactions). The evidence – large cohort research Determinants of quality in nursery are multiple but generally divided into two groups, structural (ratios, group size, space and qualifications) and dynamic (curriculum, interactions, leadership and ethos). Reviews agree that:

...the strongest and most consistent predictor of observed positive caregiving in group-based early childhood settings was the adult:child ratio...caregivers provided more sensitive, frequent and positive care when they were responsible for fewer children ...the optimum ratio for under two year-olds in education and care settings was consistently stated as 1:3 (Dalli et al; 2011:103)

This evidence replicates earlier work (Pessanah et al 2007; Melhuish 2004).

The evidence – case study research Minimum Ratios matter so much because whilst they do not guarantee quality (which of course depends on what the staff do) it is a pre-condition of it. No matter how well qualified, hard working, committed a staff member is, she can only work well with a small number of children. Those over one are beginning to have the confidence and resilience to manage and thrive in small groups. But under ones rely primarily on individual attention – giving this concurrently to four babies is not possible. Giving it

Page 2: Nursery Ratios and Babies under 12m in Nursery

consecutively is exhausting and fragmenting. The babies inevitably experience the repeated availability and then withdrawal of attention. Case study work by Elfer (2006; 2007; 2012) and Page and Elfer (forthcoming) shows the complexity of meeting the emotional demands of babies and young children in nursery. The work of Powell and Goouch portrays a pretty desperate scenario in the baby rooms of nurseries in one local authority. They call for:

Recognition that the, predominantly, young women in baby rooms are undertaking highly responsible and skilful roles that demand constant physical, emotional and intellectual labour (2012, p6).

An Austrian study (Datler et al 2010) of a Viennese nursery where the ratios are similar to those in France (1:5-1:8) show the inability of a 15 month old to get any individual attention from anyone during his nursery day. The positive development of Early Years Policy EYP has developed significantly since 1945 when the combined Ministries of Education and Health advised that mothers of children under two should not go out to work. That position in official guidance has reversed. Further, there have been sustained improvements to both structural and dynamic quality factors introduced by Governments of both main parties. The integration of education and social services as combined or children’s centres with broad intakes of children helped move practice away from the notorious patterns of care (where children had only fleeting interactions with many different members of staff coming and going, known as ‘multiple indiscriminate care’). The current revised EYFS makes the provision of opportunities for attachment for babies in nursery a statutory duty. The aim is that each baby has the chance of consistent individual attention from mainly one or two key members of staff. That duty is much more difficult to fulfil if a member of staff has too many babies to care for. She cannot reliably offer attachments to four (and more if a colleague is off sick even if that person is replaced by agency staff). National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidance Recent NICE guidance (only issued in October 2012) has also emphasised the importance of attention to emotional well-being in early years provision:

Managers and providers of early education and childcare services should ensure all vulnerable children can benefit from high quality services which aim to enhance their social and emotional wellbeing and build their capacity to learn. Services should:

promote the development of positive, interactive relationships between staff and children

ensure individual staff get to know, and develop an understanding of, particular

children's needs (continuity of care is particularly important for younger children)

Page 3: Nursery Ratios and Babies under 12m in Nursery

focus on social and emotional, as well as educational, development.

It seems clear that it will be very difficult for an individual member of staff or child-

minder to implement this guidance with four babies.

The French system The ‘creche collectives’ (infant-toddler centres) taking infants from 2months has a ratio of 1:5 for babies and 1:8 for toddlers. It has been claimed that this provides at least as good as, and sometimes better care, than in English nurseries with their higher ratios. Yet standards of care in France have caused controversy:

…young children are often cared for by a rotating cast of characters and institutions within the same day. This is particularly true when both parents have non-standard work schedules; when the parent is living alone; or when there is only one child (Bresse cited in Fagnini and Math 2011, p9).

International comparisons have of course to be made with great care. There are significant differences of policy, workforce conditions and public expectation / need. It is dangerous to compare single factors. Nevertheless, the warnings are there. ry The most vulnerable families are least likely to access effective nurseries Making nurseries cheaper will not help the most vulnerable families, because these families are the ones most able to benefit from high quality (requiring at least 1:3 ratios) nurseries :

Expanding high-quality centre-based care to those children (from most vulnerable socio-economic groups) is likely to help them catch up with their peers and thus to level the playing field (Felfe and Lalive 2012, p33)

Public opinion Lastly, nursery provision per se has always caused anxiety in England with media debating whether ‘nurseries are bad for babies’ and of course accounts of abuse. Taking account of media sensationalism, there is still considerable underlying anxiety although nurseries seem widely accepted as part of modern life, enabling greater access to equality of opportunity for women and making work and family life manageable. Yet one does not need to turn to research to raise alarm about the idea of one adult looking after four babies. Main References Dalli, C; White, J; Rochel, J; Duhn, I (undated) Quality early childhood education for under-two-year-olds: What should it look like? A literature review. Victoria University of Wellington.

Page 4: Nursery Ratios and Babies under 12m in Nursery

Fagnani, J and Math, A (2011) The Predicament of Childcare Policy in France: What is at Stake? Journal of Contemporary European Studies, Vol 19 (4) 547-561. Felfe, C and Lavive, R. (2012) Early Child Care and Child Development: For whom it works and why. Institute for the Study of Labour. Discussion Paper no 7100. Bonn: Germany. Goouch, K and Powell, S (2012) The Baby Room: Reseach Summary 1. December 2012. Esmee Fairbairn. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2012) Social and emotional

well-being: early years. NICE public health guidance 40. October 2012.

Contacts Peter Elfer [email protected] Jools Page [email protected]