What are the legal childcare ratios in the UK?

Ratios vary by nation and setting type. In England, the EYFS framework requires 1:3 for children under 2, 1:5 for two-year-olds, and 1:8 or 1:13 for children aged 3 and over in nurseries, depending on staff qualifications. Childminders in England may care for a maximum of 6 children under 8 at any one time. Scotland and Wales have their own requirements, which are broadly similar.

What does the staff to child ratio mean for nurseries?

The staff to child ratio tells you the minimum number of qualified adults required for a given number of children. A ratio of 1:5 means one adult for every five children. Nurseries must meet these minimums at all times. Many choose to exceed them - so it is always worth asking a nursery what ratio they typically operate, not just what the law requires.

Do childminders have the same ratios as nurseries?

No. Childminders in England operate under the EYFS framework but with different rules. A registered childminder may care for up to 6 children under 8, with a maximum of 3 being young children (under 5). There is no direct equivalent to the nursery staff-to-child ratio table - the childminder themselves counts as the adult, and assistants can help expand capacity within set limits.

Are babysitters regulated by Ofsted?

No. Babysitters providing in-home care are not required to register with Ofsted and are not subject to the EYFS childcare ratio requirements. In-home babysitting operates under a different framework from group settings. This does not mean carers are unvetted - reputable platforms carry out identity checks, background checks and reference verification before listing carers. It simply means the rules are different from those that apply to nurseries and childminders.

Did childcare ratios change in 2023?

Yes - in September 2023, the minimum ratio for two-year-olds in England changed from 1:4 to 1:5, giving providers more flexibility. The change was optional, meaning nurseries could choose whether to adopt it. All other ratios remained the same. The EYFS framework was updated again in September 2025 to add new requirements around staff references, but the core ratio rules were not changed.