Staff-to-child
ratio calculator
Work out the minimum staff for your rooms under the EYFS in England, or check a childminder's numbers. It runs in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere.
The EYFS ratios at a glance
These are the minimum ratios in the EYFS statutory framework for group and school-based providers in England, which took effect on 1 September 2026.
| Age group | Ratio | Qualification rule (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2 | 1:3 | At least one level 3 who is experienced with under 2s. Half of all other staff level 2. Half of all staff trained in caring for babies. |
| Aged 2 | 1:5 | At least one level 3. Half of all other staff level 2. |
| 3 and over, graduate working directly with the children | 1:13 | A person with QTS, EYPS or EYTS working directly with the children, plus at least one other level 3. |
| 3 and over, no graduate working with the children | 1:8 | At least one level 3. Half of all other staff level 2. |
"Level 3" includes staff approved to count at level 3 through the experience-based route. Independent schools, maintained nursery schools, nursery classes and reception classes have their own rules (paragraphs 3.52 to 3.56), which this calculator doesn't cover.
Childminders
A childminder can care for up to six children under eight at any one time, including their own children. Of those six, usually no more than three young children (a child is a young child until 31 August after their fifth birthday), and there should only be one child under one. Each assistant or co-childminder can care for the same numbers, subject to any limits on the childminder's registration. Some exceptions are allowed, for example for siblings or continuity of care. The total can never be more than six children under eight per person.
Read the full guide: EYFS ratios explained →
Questions
What is the ratio for under 2s?
At least one member of staff for every three children (1:3) in group and school-based settings in England.
What is the ratio for two-year-olds?
At least one member of staff for every five children (1:5). Older guides may still say 1:4, which was the old rule. The current framework says 1:5.
When can a nursery use 1:13 for 3 and over?
When a person with Qualified Teacher Status, Early Years Professional Status or Early Years Teacher Status is working directly with the children. Otherwise it is 1:8.
Do ratios apply room by room?
The framework says the ratios apply to the total number of staff available to work directly with children across the whole provision, not just each room. Children must still be adequately supervised everywhere.
How does the calculator handle mixed ages?
It works out the staff each age group needs as a fraction, adds the fractions and rounds up. The framework does not give a mixed-age formula, so treat the result as guidance and check GOV.UK, Ofsted or your local authority if you are unsure.
How many children can a childminder look after?
Up to six children under eight per person caring. Of those, usually no more than three young children and only one under the age of one, with some exceptions set out in the childminder framework.
Sources
- Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework, Department for Education, GOV.UK. The current versions took effect on 1 September 2026.
- EYFS statutory framework for group and school-based providers (from 1 September 2026): paragraphs 3.43 to 3.58.
- EYFS statutory framework for childminders (from 1 September 2026): paragraphs 3.47 to 3.56.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. This page is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. The framework is the rule.
Last checked: 25 October 2026
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