1:4 equals quality child care!
The issue of appropriate staff–child ratios arose in the context of drafting the new Children’s Services Regulation 2004. The 2002 draft Regulation recommended a 1:4 staff–child ratio for children aged under two years. The community sector supported the proposal, but there was strong opposition from the for-profit sector on the grounds of anticipated increases of costs.
The Children’s Services Regulation 2004 maintains a 1:5 ratio for the under two year old age group, in response to concerns that imposing a 1:4 ratio would result in a loss of children’s services places for this age group. It is noted however, that all available research points to a 1:3 ratio as being optimal, and that this ratio is one of the key indicators for quality care.
In 2003 PriceWaterhouseCoopers was engaged by DoCs to research a number of issues relevant to the implementation of the draft Children’s Services Regulation including staff–child ratios, and the provision of care for children under two years. The report identified that:
- a higher staff ratio is best practice; and
- 50 per cent of services, predominantly community sector providers, already operate with a 1:4 staff–child ratio or better.
It is generally agreed in the children’s service sector that a move to a 1:4 ratio is desirable and at a meeting of peak children’s services on 19 May 2004, it was recommended that a cross-sectoral Task Force (CSTF) be established to report to the Minister for Community Services, Ageing, Disability Services and Youth, on strategies that would enable the implementation of this ratio without adverse impact on the number and cost of places. A broader Reference Group was identified as a forum for consultation on any outcomes/strategies proposed.
The Task Force was subsequently formed and reported to the Minister at the end of 2006. The then Minister Reba Meagher, decided not to act on the Task Force Majority recommendations to implement a 1:4 ratio. The ratio therefore remains regulated at 1:4.
Current research on the issues of staff–child ratios and quality care shows that:
- good quality early childhood education has positive outcomes for children in both cognitive and social domains;
- the quality of children’s services is influenced by staff–child ratios;
- staff–child ratios and group size are significant factors in quality care; and
- the research recommends a ratio of 1:3 for children under three.
For this reason we are urging all services to join in our lobby campaign to change the regulated ratio to 1:4
- We need to get the message out to as many members of parliament as possible that 1:4 equals quality childcare.
- We need to get the message out that parents, children’s services and childcare workers support the better ratio.
- We need to get the Regulation varied to include the better ratio.
- We need as many centre as possible to agree to implement a 1:4 ratio for babies in their centre as soon as possible.
How?
We are calling on childcare services to:
1. Organise to see your local member as soon as possible.
2. Get stories in local media about the issue.
1:4 equals quality childcare!
If all services join us in fighting for the 1:4 ratio, we can make sure that 1:4 will become the law!