Staff-to-child ratios are set in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, which every Ofsted-registered early years provider in England must follow. The figures below are the legal minimums in the version that applies from September 2026. A nursery can choose to staff above them, and many families find it worth asking.
Group nurseries and pre-schools
For nurseries, pre-schools and other registered group settings:
| Children’s age | Minimum ratio | Qualification conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2 | 1 member of staff for every 3 children | At least one staff member with an approved Level 3 qualification (or experience-based route approval) and suitably experienced with under-2s. At least half of other staff hold an approved Level 2. At least half of all staff trained in the care of babies. |
| 2 years | 1 for every 5 children | At least one staff member with an approved Level 3. At least half of other staff hold an approved Level 2. |
| 3 and over, with a teacher or early years teacher working directly with the children | 1 for every 13 children | At least one other staff member with an approved Level 3. |
| 3 and over, no such teacher | 1 for every 8 children | At least one Level 3, and at least half of other staff Level 2. |
“Teacher” here means a person with Qualified Teacher Status, Early Years Professional Status or Early Years Teacher Status.
School nursery classes and nursery schools
- Maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained schools, for children aged 3 and over: 1 member of staff for every 13 children, with at least one school teacher and at least one other staff member with an approved Level 3.
- Independent schools and nursery classes in free schools and academies: the ratios depend on whether a qualified teacher, an instructor or a suitably qualified overseas-trained teacher works directly with the children. Broadly it is 1 for every 13 where one does and 1 for every 8 where none does. The framework has separate rules for classes where most children turn five during the school year.
- Reception classes are covered by infant class size rules, which limit classes to 30 children per school teacher in an ordinary teaching session, with limited exceptions.
Childminders
Childminders follow a different set of rules. At any one time, a childminder may care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight, including their own children. Of those:
- no more than three may be young children (until 31 August after the fifth birthday), and
- there should only be one child under the age of one.
Exceptions can be made if the childminder can show each child’s needs are being met, for example for siblings, to keep continuity of care, or for children who only attend before and after school. The total of children under 8 still cannot exceed six per person providing care. If a childminder has an assistant, each adult can look after the number permitted by the ratios.
How ratios work in practice
- Counted across the whole provision. The requirement applies to all staff available to work directly with children across the whole setting, not each room separately. Ofsted can require a setting to staff above the minimum.
- Who counts. Staff must hold the right qualification. Those who gained a Level 2 or 3 qualification since 30 June 2016 must also get a paediatric first aid certificate within three months of starting work to be counted. Anyone under 17 cannot be counted, except apprentices from age 16. Students and long-term volunteers aged 17 or over can be counted at a level below their level of study, if the provider is satisfied they are suitable and they hold a paediatric first aid certificate.
- First aid. At least one person with a current paediatric first aid certificate must be on the premises and available whenever children are present, and providers should display or share a list of who holds one.
- Supervision. Children must usually be within sight and hearing of staff, and always within sight or hearing. Children must be supervised especially while eating.
- Exceptional changes. The framework allows changes to ratios exceptionally, where quality of care and safety are maintained.
Questions to ask beyond the legal minimum
A ratio is a floor. When you visit, ask:
- What is the ratio in my child’s room on a typical day, and how do you cover staff absences and breaks?
- Do you staff above the legal minimum, and are there any extra charges for that? Under funding rules, a provider cannot make general or “enhanced ratio” charges a condition of a funded place.
- Who will be my child’s key person, and who covers when they are away?
- How many of your staff hold a Level 3 qualification or above?
More are in questions to ask a nursery.
Questions
What is the staff-to-child ratio in a nursery?
For children under 2 it is 1 member of staff for every 3 children. For 2-year-olds it is 1 for every 5. For children aged 3 and over it is 1 for every 13 if a qualified teacher or early years teacher is working with them, otherwise 1 for every 8.
Is the ratio per room or for the whole nursery?
For the whole provision. The EYFS requirement applies to all staff available to work directly with children across the setting, not each room separately. Ask how many adults are in your child’s room.
Can a childminder look after more than one baby?
The framework says there should only be one child under one at a time, with exceptions where the childminder can show every child’s needs are met, such as for siblings.
Do school nursery classes have different ratios?
Yes. Maintained nursery classes and nursery schools use 1 member of staff to 13 children with a school teacher present, plus at least one other Level 3 staff member.