Fall in Teacher -Pupil ratio in early years education is shocking

3.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 28th Sep 2007

Teacher-pupil ratios in early years education have fallen across England according to official figures released yesterday and analysed by the Liberal Democrats. There are 40 local authorities where the ratio of qualified teaching staff to pupils in primary schools has fallen, and 50 authorities where the ratio has fallen in nursery schools.

These figures are shocking, especially in light of the statements Ed Balls has made on the importance of early years education. It is impossible to see how the government can deliver on its numerous pledges to improve the standard of early years education across the country when the ratio of trained teachers to pupils is falling.