Lift College020 4652 5904Start 7-day free trialFree trial0

EYFS staff-to-child ratios 2026: the full tables for England

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework sets minimum staff-to-child ratios for every registered early years setting in England: 1:3 for under-twos, 1:5 for two-year-olds, and 1:8 (or 1:13 with a Level 6 teacher) for children aged three and over. Who counts in those ratios depends on qualification level — a Level 3 "full and relevant" qualification such as the Early Years Educator diploma is required for the lead practitioner, and at least half the remaining staff must hold Level 2. Childminders follow a separate set of six-under-eight rules.

Start 7-day free trialRequest a callback
Career guideLast reviewed 8 min readBy Lift College

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework sets minimum staff-to-child ratios for every registered early years setting in England: 1:3 for under-twos, 1:5 for two-year-olds, and 1:8 (or 1:13 with a Level 6 teacher) for children aged three and over. Who counts in those ratios depends on qualification level — a Level 3 "full and relevant" qualification such as the Early Years Educator diploma is required for the lead practitioner, and at least half the remaining staff must hold Level 2. Childminders follow a separate set of six-under-eight rules.

Group and school-based providers: ratios by age

The tables below consolidate the ratio rules, the qualification each adult needs to be counted, and the exceptions settings most often ask about. They apply to England only; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland publish their own ratios.

Group and school-based providers: EYFS staff-to-child ratios by age (England).
Child's ageMinimum ratioQualification requirements for staff counted in ratio
Under 21 adult : 3 childrenAt least one member of staff Level 3 full and relevant; at least half of all other staff Level 2 full and relevant. At least half of staff must have (or be working towards) training in the care of babies. The room leader must have suitable experience of working with under-twos.
Age 21 adult : 5 childrenAt least one Level 3 full and relevant; at least half of other staff Level 2 full and relevant.
Age 3 and over (no Level 6 present)1 adult : 8 childrenAt least one Level 3 full and relevant; at least half of other staff Level 2 full and relevant.
Age 3 and over (Level 6 present and working directly with the children)1 adult : 13 childrenA person with QTS, Early Years Professional Status, Early Years Teacher Status or another suitable Level 6 qualification; at least one other staff member Level 3 full and relevant.
Reception classes in maintained schools (during school hours)1 : 30 (infant class size rule)Qualified teacher; the ratio is set by school legislation rather than the 1:13 EYFS rule.

The 1:5 ratio for two-year-olds replaced 1:4 in September 2023 (optional) and is now the standard minimum; providers may still choose to operate at 1:4.

Childminders: ratios and the "six under eight" rule

Childminders: ratios and the "six under eight" rule.
RuleMaximum per childminder (or per adult where an assistant counts)
Children under 8 in total6
Of whom "young children" (under 5 / under compulsory school age)3
Of whom under 1 year old1 (exceptions for siblings/twins and continuity of care, if each child's needs can be met)
Childminder's own childrenCount towards the total when present

Childminders do not have to hold a Level 3 to register, but a Level 3 full-and-relevant qualification is what lets them be treated as the qualified adult when working with assistants or in a group setting. See how to become a childminder in England for the registration route.

Which qualifications count as "full and relevant"?

The Department for Education publishes the early years qualifications list (the EYQL, searchable through its qualification checker). A qualification counts at a given level only if it appears on that list for the year it was awarded. The three levels that matter for ratios:

Which qualifications count as "full and relevant" for EYFS ratios.
LevelTypical qualificationWhat it unlocks in ratios
Level 2Early Years Practitioner certificate/diplomaCounts as one of the "other staff" who must hold Level 2; cannot be the sole Level 3 lead
Level 3Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator (Ofqual-regulated; Lift College's is awarded by TQUK)The required Level 3 lead in every age band; eligible to be room leader, deputy, manager
Level 6QTS, EYTS, EYPS, or an EYQL-listed Level 6Allows the 1:13 ratio for over-threes

The Level 3 row above refers to the Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator (Ofqual-regulated; Lift College's is awarded by TQUK).

Compare the levels side by side in our early years qualifications compared guide, or browse childcare qualifications online.

The experience-based route (2025 onwards)

Since 2025, managers can choose to count a member of staff at Level 3 if they hold no full-and-relevant Level 3 but meet the experience-based criteria set out by the DfE (a Level 2 or an unlisted Level 3, plus a period of supervised practice and a manager's sign-off). The route is optional, at the manager's discretion, and is not a qualification; staff on it cannot be counted as Level 3 in a different setting without going through the process again. For that reason most employers still ask for the recognised Level 3 diploma.

The maths and English rule

From 2024 the requirement for Level 3 staff to hold GCSE English and maths (or Functional Skills Level 2) to count in ratios was removed for practitioners; it remains a requirement for managers (who may be on a path to achieve it within two years of taking up the post). Settings may still set their own entry requirements.

Common exceptions and edge cases

  • Mixed-age rooms: ratios are applied to the age of each child, so a room with two 2-year-olds and six 3-year-olds needs enough adults to meet 1:5 for the younger pair and 1:8 for the rest — not simply the ratio of the majority age.
  • Lunch and nap times: ratios still apply; the EYFS allows some flexibility about which staff are present for short periods, provided children's needs are met and supervision is adequate.
  • Students and volunteers: can be counted only if aged 17 or over and the manager is satisfied they are competent; apprentices aged 16+ on an early years apprenticeship may count at the level of their current qualification.
  • Outings: the setting must risk-assess and may need higher ratios than in-setting minimums.
  • Before/after-school and holiday clubs for children in Reception and above: no EYFS ratio applies, but providers must ensure sufficient staff; for 3–5s in those settings the 1:8 rule still applies.

Next step: the Level 3 Early Years Educator route

If you are aiming for the Level 3 lead role, see our career guide on how to become an early years educator.

Frequently asked questions

What is the EYFS ratio for 2-year-olds?
One adult to five children (1:5) in group settings in England, with at least one Level 3-qualified member of staff and at least half of the other staff holding a Level 2 early years qualification. Providers may operate at the previous 1:4 ratio if they choose.
What is the EYFS ratio for under-2s?
One adult to three babies (1:3). At least one adult must hold a Level 3 full-and-relevant qualification, half of the remaining staff must hold Level 2, and half must have or be working towards baby-care training.
How many 3- and 4-year-olds can one adult look after?
Eight (1:8) with a Level 3 lead, or thirteen (1:13) when a Level 6 teacher — QTS, EYTS or EYPS — is working directly with the children.
How many children can a childminder have under the EYFS?
Six children under eight, of whom no more than three are under five and normally only one is under twelve months, including the childminder's own children.
Do you need a Level 3 to count in EYFS ratios?
At least one staff member in each ratio group must hold a Level 3 full-and-relevant qualification such as the Early Years Educator diploma. Other staff can count at Level 2. Since 2025 a manager may also count an experienced practitioner at Level 3 via the experience-based route.
Do nursery staff need GCSE maths and English?
Not to count in ratios as a Level 3 practitioner (the requirement was removed in 2024). Managers still need Level 2 English and maths, or must achieve it within two years.

Sources