SDN Children’s Services has welcomed the NSW Government’s early implementation of the 1:4 staff-to-infant ratio in licensed long day care centres, as it will improve the quality of early education and care across the board.

At the start of the year, the staff-to-child ratio changed from 1:5 to 1:4 for infants aged under two. The new ratio means that children will have higher staffing levels.

‘We support the NSW and the Australian Governments’ commitment to improve standards of early education and care, and believe that centres should be able to implement the change without big fee increases,’ Ginie Udy, CEO of SDN said.

‘SDN has operated with this 1:4 ratio for infants for many years because we believe it is in the best interests of children. Therefore, we have not had to increase fees as a result of the change. In relation to standards of care, the priority for all operators should be children, not profit,’ Ms Udy said.

While at SDN Marrickville both Ministers reiterated the importance of high-quality care for children in their early years. Click here to view their joint media release.

‘This change will allow carers and educators to spend more quality time with infants, and it is a more accurate reflection of the role that early childhood professionals have in supporting children’s development,’ Ms Udy said.

SDN was established in 1905 and is one of Australia’s most experienced and trusted leaders in children’s services, providing early education and care, and family support programs. We are a not-for-profit organisation operating 23 Children’s Education and Care Centres in NSW and the ACT for more than 3000 children. We also operate 16 government-funded programs for children, families and the children’s services sector, including early intervention, Aboriginal community programs, and autism and disability support services.

Click here to view Channel Ten news report