'Worries' over proposed childcare changes in England

How many childcare assistants does it take to look after a child? That is the question at the heart of the government's reforms to nurseries and child-minding in England.

England requires higher staffing levels for toddlers than do the French, Germans and Dutch.

Now Childcare Minister Liz Truss says she wants rules to encourage nurseries to employ fewer, better qualified staff.

The BBC's Zubeida Malik went to a nursery in West London and spoke to parents and those who work there about the proposed changes.

Anand Shukla, chief executive of the Daycare Trust, told the Today programme: "Any initiatives to increase the qualifications and pay of staff, who are very low paid, are all to be welcomed.

"But we are worried about this trade-off being proposed, between increasing the qualifications of staff, and increasing the number of children you can look after."

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme on Tuesday 28 January 2013.

  • UK