The Deputy Prime Minister has confirmed his opposition to changing the childcare ratios, during an intervention this morning on his LBC radio show Call Clegg, where Mr Clegg said: "It is not a great ideological thing, it is about getting it right for parents up and down the country. When the last government changed the so-called ratios for three- and four-year-olds, it had almost no effect in reducing the costs for parents whatsoever, so you do need to be led by the evidence and that is what I will continue to be in the debate."
Justine Roberts, Mumsnet CEO and Founder, responded to Mr Clegg saying: "Mumsnet users will be mighty relieved that some in government are listening to concerns expressed by parents and childcare professionals alike about relaxing childcare ratios. Put simply parents believe that the quality of care will be adversely affected by the proposed changes and that even with a GCSE in Maths and English four babies under one or six under twos is a lot for even the most experienced childcare worker to manage. Only 5% of Mumsnet users supported a change in ratios even if it meant lower costs. That's why Mumsnet supports the Pre-school Learning Alliance's Rewind on Ratios campaign and we very much hope that Nick Clegg's intervention results in a rethink."
