National Quality Framework

Educator to child ratios

Podcast Series: 1

February 2012

Presentation overview1. Overview of educator to child ratios2. Key changes for services 3. Mixed aged group ratios4. Excursions5. Conclusion 6. Resources7. Video

1. Overview of ratios

What has changed?• First increase to ratios occurring in 2016

• Calculated across the service

• Based on all children under one Service Approval regardless of room or building configuration

• All educators must hold (or be studying towards) at a minimum a Certificate III qualification; and

• The first of every two educators must hold (or be studying towards) a Diploma qualification or above

Child Care Act 2002

(Determined by individual rooms)

2

24

2

8

Educators

Children

National Quality Framework

(Across the service – under one Service Approval)

6

44

Educators

Children

2

12

0-24 mths 25-35 mths 36 mths-school age

1. Overview of ratios

Considerations in determining staffing• Minimum educator to child ratios are maintained at all

times (section 123)• Only educators working directly with children are

included in the ratio (section 122)• Adequate supervision is maintained at all times

(section 120)• The education, health, safety and wellbeing of children

are paramount• Outcomes for children – develop relationships with

other children and adults (section 155 – 156)

2012 – 2015 RATIO 2016 – 2017 RATIO 1 JAN 2018+ RATIO

0-24 mths 1:4 0-24 mths 1:40-24 mths 1:4

15-24 mths* 1:5 15-24 mths* 1:5

>24-35 mths 1:6>24-35 mths 1:5 >24-35 mths 1:5

>30-35 mths 1:8

3 yrs <7 yrs 1:12 36 mths <school age

1:11 36 mths <school age 1:11

4 yrs <7 yrs 1:13

School age** 1:15 School age** 1:154 yrs <14 yrs 1:12

School age** 1:15

Family Day Care *** 1:7 Family Day Care

**** 1:7 Family Day Care **** 1:7

‘<‘ means less than and ‘>’ means more than* Eligible services need to apply to continue using 1:5 ratio from 2012 until 2018** Means a child enrolled in schooling (Prep onwards) and attending anytime the same calendar year*** From 2012, the 1:7 ratio cannot include more than four children preschool age or under. ****Includes an educator's own children under school age until 2015 and then all children less than 13 years of age from 2016.

2. Key changes for services

3. Mixed age group ratios

What has changed?• 1:7 mixed age group ratio no longer exists

• For mixed groups, the relevant ratio for each age group needs to be maintained

How does this work?

• The ratio of the youngest child in each educator’s care applies

• Older children can be included in the ratio of younger children as long as the ratio of the youngest child is not exceeded

4. Excursions

• There is no explicit ratio for excursions, however minimum ratios cannot be exceeded

• Prepare a risk assessment and seek authorisation from parents (Section 100 – 102)

• Only an initial risk assessment is required for regular outings unless circumstances change (more than annual)

• Movement to other areas in a school is not an excursion

5. Conclusion

Things to consider• Impact on the quality of the program for each child

• Each of the seven quality areas of the National Quality Standard and desired quality ratings

• Ratios are minimum requirements

• Use professional judgement

• Ensure adequate supervision at all times

6. Resources

Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) www.acecqa.gov.au

Guide to the National Quality Standard

3

Guide to the National Law and National Regulations

2

Guide to the National Quality Framework

1

Page 173 for Risk Assessment Template

Department of Education and Training www.det.qld.gov.au/earlychildhood

Fact Sheets Regional Officers Website

Thank you

VIDEOClick on the symbol

on the lower right of the screen for a demonstration on

mixed age group ratios