PARENTS
ASK ABOUT STAFF CHILD RATIOS AT YOUR CHILD CARE CENTRE
RESEARCH SHOWS THAT IMPROVED STAFF-CHILD RATIOS ARE ONE OF THE KEY INDICATORS
OF HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE
RATIOS OF 1:3 or 1:4 FOR CHILDREN AGED UNDER 2 HAVE BEEN LINKED WITH:
- MORE POSITIVE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN STAFF AND INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN
- POSITIVE LONG-TERM BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN
- BETTER INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN
- BETTER SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN
Source: NICHD Early Child Care Research Network (2002). Child-care structure ? Process ? Outcome: Direct and indirect effects of child-care quality on young children’s development. Psychological Science, 13, 199-206.
INTERESTED IN QUALITY CARE FOR YOUR CHILD? DID YOU KNOW…
- The new NSW Regulations for Child Care suggest a ratio of 1:5 for children under 2.
- Leading world expert Ron Lally calls this a "ratio for neglect".
Many centres know that this ratio does not work for children or for child care staff and offer a 1:4 ratio or better.
Is your centre one of these? Ask and find out.
- Speak up about wanting good quality care for your child and for all children at NSW Child Care Centres.
- Demand that your local member oppose the 1:5 ratio for under 2s in the new regulations.
- Demand more one-to-one attention for young children so that their well-being and development are enhanced in child care.