EYFS ratios: staff to child
Short answer: in group settings it’s 1:3 for under 2s, 1:5 for 2-year-olds, and 1:8 for 3-year-olds and over (1:13 when a qualified teacher is working with them). Childminders can care for up to six children under 8, with no more than three young children and usually only one under 1.
Updated 31 October 2026, checked against both EYFS frameworks in force from 1 September 2026. For England. A guide, not legal advice.
Nurseries, pre-schools and other group settings
| Age | Ratio | Qualifications |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2 | 1:3 | At least one at level 3 (or experience-based route) with experience of under-2s. Half of the rest at level 2. Half of all staff trained in caring for babies. |
| 2-year-olds | 1:5 | At least one at level 3 (or experience-based route). Half of the rest at level 2. |
| 3 and over, teacher working with the children | 1:13 | A person with QTS, EYPS or EYTS working directly with the children, plus at least one other at level 3. |
| 3 and over, no teacher working with the children | 1:8 | At least one other at level 3 (or experience-based route). Half of the rest at level 2. |
- Ratios cover everyone available to work directly with children across the whole provision, not each room. Ofsted can require a higher ratio.
- The manager needs an approved level 3 qualification, and at least half of all other staff need approved level 2. Check qualifications on the early years qualifications finder.
- Experience-based route: staff approved through it can count at level 3, but no more than half of the level 3 staff at a premises at any time.
- Level 2 English is needed to count at level 3 for staff with an Early Years Educator qualification or experience-based route status.
- Overnight care: the same ratios apply, and at least one member of staff must be awake.
- Schools have their own rules: nursery classes in maintained schools work at 1:13 with a school teacher, and reception classes follow infant class size law (30 per teacher). Before and after school or holiday care for reception-age children and older needs enough staff as for a class of 30.
Childminders
- Up to six children under the age of 8 at any one time, including your own and any you foster.
- Of those six, no more than three young children (a child is “young” until 31 August after their fifth birthday), and there should only be one under 1.
- Exceptions are allowed if you can show parents and Ofsted or your agency that every child’s needs are met, for example siblings, your own child or continuity of care. Never more than six under 8 per person.
- An assistant or a co-childminder can each care for the same number. Children can be left with an assistant alone for up to two hours a day, with parents’ permission.
- Overnight care: the same ratios apply, you must always be able to hear the children, and you must tell Ofsted or your agency first.
Who counts in ratio
- Nobody under 17, except apprentices from 16.
- Students and long-term volunteers (17+) and apprentices (16+) can count, if suitable, competent and responsible. In group settings they count at the level below the one they’re studying for, and must hold a current paediatric first aid qualification.
- Nobody under 17 can care for children unsupervised at any time.
What to tell parents, and your website
The EYFS says you must tell parents how your staff are organised (group framework 3.43, childminder framework 3.47). On your website that means:
- A team page: roles, qualifications and paediatric first aid, without personal details.
- For each room or age group, the ratio you work to. If you staff above the minimum, say so: parents notice.
- Childminders: whether you have an assistant, and how many children you care for.
See everything the EYFS says you must share with parents, or the whole framework in plain English.
Questions
What are the EYFS ratios for 2026?
For group settings: 1:3 for children under 2, 1:5 for 2-year-olds, and for 3-year-olds and over 1:8, or 1:13 when someone with QTS, EYPS or EYTS is working directly with the children. Childminders can care for up to six children under 8, of whom up to three can be young children and usually only one under 1.
Do ratios apply per room?
No. The ratios apply to the total number of staff available to work directly with children across the whole provision, not each room. Ofsted can require a higher ratio if it needs to for children’s safety.
Can students and apprentices count in ratios?
Students and long-term volunteers aged 17 or over, and apprentices aged 16 or over, can count at the level below the one they’re studying for, if you’re satisfied they’re suitable, competent and responsible, and they hold a current paediatric first aid qualification. Nobody under 17 can be left alone with children.
How many children can a childminder look after?
Up to six children under the age of 8, including their own. Of those, no more than three can be young children (until 31 August after their fifth birthday), and there should only be one child under 1. An assistant or co-childminder can each care for the same number.
Can childminders go over the ratios?
Sometimes, if they can show parents and Ofsted or their agency that every child’s needs are met, for example for siblings, their own child or continuity of care. They can never go above six children under 8 per person.
Did the ratios change in September 2026?
No. The ratio numbers are the same. The September 2026 changes were mainly to safeguarding and welfare, such as safer sleep and DBS checks for volunteers, and DfE clarified the level 2 English requirements in the early years qualifications document.
Sources
- EYFS framework for group and school-based providers, dated 13 July 2026, paragraphs 3.43–3.58
- EYFS framework for childminders, dated 13 July 2026, paragraphs 3.47–3.57
- EYFS statutory framework, DfE, GOV.UK
More guides: all our guides for nurseries, childminders and schools.
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