Understanding ACEQA Educator to Child Ratios (Centre-based)

Educator to Child Ratios: An Overview

Educator-to-child ratios refer to the number of educators required to supervise a specific number of children in an educational or care setting. These ratios are essential for ensuring the safety, well-being, and quality of care and education for children. They are typically mandated by regulatory bodies or government agencies and vary based on factors such as the age of the children, the type of care setting, and sometimes even the activities being undertaken.

Why Are These Ratios Important?

1. Safety and Supervision: With a set ratio, it ensures that each child receives adequate attention and supervision, reducing the risk of accidents or incidents.
2. Quality of Care: A lower educator-to-child ratio often means that educators can provide more individualized attention, support, and guidance to each child. This can lead to better educational outcomes and more personalized care.
3. Manageability: It helps educators manage their group effectively, ensuring that the needs of all children are met.

How Do They Work?

1. Age-Based Ratios: The most common determinant for ratios is the age of the children. Younger children, given their dependency and vulnerability, typically require more intensive supervision. As a result, the ratio for infants and toddlers is often lower (i.e., more educators per child) than for older, more independent children.
2. Mixed Age Groups: In settings where children of various ages are grouped together, the ratio is typically determined by the age of the youngest child in the group. This ensures that the needs of the most vulnerable are met. However, some regulations allow for flexibility, where an educator supervising one age group can also be counted against another age group, as long as the specific ratio for each age group is maintained.
3. Type of Setting: Different settings might have different ratios. For instance, family day care settings, where care is provided in a home environment, might have different ratio requirements compared to larger, center-based services.
4. Special Activities: Some activities, like swimming or field trips, might require a higher number of educators due to the increased risks associated with those activities.
5. Jurisdictional Differences: It’s essential to note that ratios can vary from one jurisdiction to another based on local regulations, standards, and best practices.

Educator-to-child ratios are a critical aspect of early childhood education and care. They ensure that children are safe, well-cared for, and given an environment conducive to learning and development. Parents, caregivers, and educators should be aware of the required ratios in their specific setting and jurisdiction to ensure compliance and the best outcomes for children.

Ratios In VIC

Here’s a breakdown of the educator-to-child ratios for centre-based services in Victoria (VIC):

1. Birth to 24 months:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:4
   • Mixed age ratios: In a mixed age group, if there are 3 children aged “Birth to 24 months”, 5 children aged “25 to 35 months”, and 12 children aged “36 months to preschool age”, the minimum number of educators required is 3. This is because:
     • One educator can care for the three children aged 0 to 24 months and also care for one child aged over 24 months and less than 36 months without exceeding the ratio of 1:4.
     • A second educator is required for the remaining four children aged over 24 months and less than 36 months, who can also care for one child aged 36 months to preschool age.
     • A third educator is required for the remaining 11 children aged 36 months to preschool age.
2. Over 24 months and less than 36 months:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:4 (specific to VIC)
   • Mixed age ratios: As mentioned in the first point, the educator caring for children in this age range can also care for children in other age ranges, as long as the specific ratio for each age range is maintained.
3. 36 months up to and including preschool age:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:11 (for VIC)
   • Mixed age ratios: As illustrated in the examples, educators can be deployed across more than one age range while maintaining the required ratio for each age range.
4. Over preschool age:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:15 (for VIC)
   • Mixed age ratios: In a mixed age group, if there are 5 children aged “36 months to preschool age” and 19 children “Over preschool age”, the minimum number of educators required is 2. This is because:
     • One educator can care for the five children aged 36 months to preschool age and also care for four children aged over preschool age without exceeding the ratio of 1:11.
     • A second educator is required for the remaining fifteen children aged over preschool age.

Ratios In NSW

Here’s a breakdown of the educator-to-child ratios for centre-based services in New South Wales (NSW):

1. Birth to 24 months:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:4
   • Mixed age ratios: In a mixed age group, if there are children aged “Birth to 24 months”, the ratio of 1:4 must be maintained. An educator can also be counted against another age range of children, as long as the ratio for each age range is maintained and adequate supervision is maintained at all times.
2. Over 24 months and less than 36 months:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:5
   • Mixed age ratios: As with the first point, the educator caring for children in this age range can also care for children in other age ranges, as long as the specific ratio for each age range is maintained.
3. 36 months up to and including preschool age:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:10
   • Mixed age ratios: Educators can be deployed across more than one age range while maintaining the required ratio for each age range.
4. Over preschool age:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:15
   • Mixed age ratios: In a mixed age group, if there are children aged “Over preschool age”, the ratio of 1:15 must be maintained. Again, educators can be counted for multiple age ranges as long as the specific ratios are maintained.

Ratios In QLD

1. Birth to 24 months:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:4
   • Mixed age ratios: In a mixed age group, if there are children aged “Birth to 24 months”, the ratio of 1:4 must be maintained. An educator can also be counted against another age range of children, as long as the ratio for each age range is maintained and adequate supervision is maintained at all times.
2. Over 24 months and less than 36 months:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:5
   • Mixed age ratios: As with the first point, the educator caring for children in this age range can also care for children in other age ranges, as long as the specific ratio for each age range is maintained.
3. 36 months up to and including preschool age:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:11 (for QLD)
   • Mixed age ratios: Educators can be deployed across more than one age range while maintaining the required ratio for each age range.
4. Over preschool age:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:15
   • Mixed age ratios: In a mixed age group, if there are children aged “Over preschool age”, the ratio of 1:15 must be maintained. Again, educators can be counted for multiple age ranges as long as the specific ratios are maintained.

Ratios In SA

1. Birth to 24 months:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:4
   • Mixed age ratios: In a mixed age group, if there are children aged “Birth to 24 months”, the ratio of 1:4 must be maintained. An educator can also be counted against another age range of children, as long as the ratio for each age range is maintained and adequate supervision is maintained at all times.
2. Over 24 months and less than 36 months:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:5
   • Mixed age ratios: As with the first point, the educator caring for children in this age range can also care for children in other age ranges, as long as the specific ratio for each age range is maintained.
3. 36 months up to and including preschool age:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:11 (for SA)
   • Mixed age ratios: Educators can be deployed across more than one age range while maintaining the required ratio for each age range.
4. Over preschool age:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:15
   • Mixed age ratios: In a mixed age group, if there are children aged “Over preschool age”, the ratio of 1:15 must be maintained. Again, educators can be counted for multiple age ranges as long as the specific ratios are maintained.

Ratios In ACT

1. Birth to 24 months:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:4
   • Mixed age ratios: In a mixed age group, if there are children aged “Birth to 24 months”, the ratio of 1:4 must be maintained. An educator can also be counted against another age range of children, as long as the ratio for each age range is maintained and adequate supervision is maintained at all times.
2. Over 24 months and less than 36 months:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:5
   • Mixed age ratios: As with the first point, the educator caring for children in this age range can also care for children in other age ranges, as long as the specific ratio for each age range is maintained.
3. 36 months up to and including preschool age:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:11 (for ACT)
   • Mixed age ratios: Educators can be deployed across more than one age range while maintaining the required ratio for each age range.
4. Over preschool age:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:11 (specific to ACT when no Kindergarten children are present)
   • Mixed age ratios: In a mixed age group, if there are children aged “Over preschool age”, the ratio of 1:11 must be maintained. Again, educators can be counted for multiple age ranges as long as the specific ratios are maintained.

Ratios In TAS

1. Birth to 24 months:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:4
   • Mixed age ratios: In a mixed age group, if there are children aged “Birth to 24 months”, the ratio of 1:4 must be maintained. An educator can also be counted against another age range of children, as long as the ratio for each age range is maintained and adequate supervision is maintained at all times.
2. Over 24 months and less than 36 months:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:5
   • Mixed age ratios: As with the first point, the educator caring for children in this age range can also care for children in other age ranges, as long as the specific ratio for each age range is maintained.
3. 36 months up to and including preschool age:
   • Educator to child ratio:
     • 1:10 for general cases
     • 2:25 for children attending a preschool program (specific to TAS)
   • Mixed age ratios: Educators can be deployed across more than one age range while maintaining the required ratio for each age range.
4. Over preschool age:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:15
   • Mixed age ratios: In a mixed age group, if there are children aged “Over preschool age”, the ratio of 1:15 must be maintained. Again, educators can be counted for multiple age ranges as long as the specific ratios are maintained.

Ratios In NT

1. Birth to 24 months:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:4
   • Mixed age ratios: In a mixed age group, if there are children aged “Birth to 24 months”, the ratio of 1:4 must be maintained. An educator can also be counted against another age range of children, as long as the ratio for each age range is maintained and adequate supervision is maintained at all times.
2. Over 24 months and less than 36 months:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:5
   • Mixed age ratios: As with the first point, the educator caring for children in this age range can also care for children in other age ranges, as long as the specific ratio for each age range is maintained.
3. 36 months up to and including preschool age:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:11 (for NT)
   • Mixed age ratios: Educators can be deployed across more than one age range while maintaining the required ratio for each age range.
4. Over preschool age:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:15
   • Mixed age ratios: In a mixed age group, if there are children aged “Over preschool age”, the ratio of 1:15 must be maintained. Again, educators can be counted for multiple age ranges as long as the specific ratios are maintained.

Ratios In WA

1. Birth to 24 months:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:4
   • Mixed age ratios: In a mixed age group, if there are children aged “Birth to 24 months”, the ratio of 1:4 must be maintained. An educator can also be counted against another age range of children, as long as the ratio for each age range is maintained and adequate supervision is maintained at all times.
2. Over 24 months and less than 36 months:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:5
   • Mixed age ratios: As with the first point, the educator caring for children in this age range can also care for children in other age ranges, as long as the specific ratio for each age range is maintained.
3. 36 months up to and including preschool age:
   • Educator to child ratio: 1:10
   • Mixed age ratios: Educators can be deployed across more than one age range while maintaining the required ratio for each age range.
4. Over preschool age:
   • Educator to child ratio:
     • 1:10 for the first 12 children
     • Then 1:13 (e.g., If 11 or 12 children are present, 2 staff members are still required)
   • Mixed age ratios: In a mixed age group, if there are children aged “Over preschool age”, the ratio of 1:10 for the first 12 children and then 1:13 for additional children must be maintained. Again, educators can be counted for multiple age ranges as long as the specific ratios are maintained.

It’s important to note that these ratios are calculated across the whole service and not by individual rooms. This provides flexibility to ensure educators are allocated appropriately based on the age and needs of children in the service. In mixed age groups, maintaining the ratio for each age range of children does not mean the educator-to-child ratio for the youngest age range must be applied to all children in an older age range. Adequate supervision must be maintained at all times.