A study by Northampton and Nottingham Trent universities has revealed that the Conservative Party’s plan to increase child-to-staff ratios in nurseries is compromising the safety and quality of child care.

Since September, nurseries in England can allow one adult to oversee five two-year-olds instead of four, aiming to provide 15 hours of free childcare weekly for working parents with children aged nine months to three years.

However, 32% of nursery staff reported reduced care quality, with staff predominantly engaged in 'crowd control'.

Many nurseries are facing a crisis with increasing staff stress, absenteeism, and turnover due to overwhelming workloads.

Aaron Bradbury from Nottingham Trent University highlighted ongoing issues where providers adhering to increased ratios struggle, placing children's safety at risk.

The Labour Party is under pressure to review these changes urgently, especially with promises to double free childcare hours by next September.

Neil Leitch from the Early Years Alliance and other practitioners urge the government to address financial and staffing challenges in the sector.