A: Legally, yes—an educator is considered “in ratio” as long as they are physically present and supervising the required number of children according to the age-based ratios set by the National Quality Framework (NQF). But practically? That’s where the system starts to unravel.
What “In Ratio” Means Legally
Under the NQF, being “in ratio” means:
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The educator is counted toward the minimum required staff for a group of children.
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They are physically present and actively supervising.
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Ratios vary by age group (e.g., 1:4 for infants, 1:5 for toddlers, and 1:11 for preschoolers).
However, the law does not specify how many concurrent tasks an educator can be expected to manage while maintaining supervision.
The Disconnect Between Law and Reality
Educators are often “in ratio” while also:
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Documenting learning and health data
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Communicating with families
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Cleaning and resetting environments
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Managing incidents and individual care needs
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Performing safety checks and compliance tasks
These responsibilities pull attention away from direct supervision, yet the educator is still counted as “in ratio.” This creates a false sense of coverage—especially when “under the roof” ratios are used, where staff are counted even if they’re not in the room.
Why This Matters
Being “in ratio” should mean being available, attentive, and responsive to children’s needs. But when educators are overloaded with non-contact tasks, the quality of care and supervision suffers—even if the service is technically compliant.
In short: compliance does not equal capacity. And the current interpretation of “in ratio” often masks systemic understaffing and unrealistic expectations.
Further Reading
Educator-to-Child Ratios: A System Built for Profit, Not Quality Care
Mixed Age Ratios In An Early Childhood Service
Under the Roof Ratios
Educator To Child Ratio Calculator
Implementing Under The Roof Ratios
Educator to Child Ratios In Early Childhood Services
NSW Staff Ratios and Adequate Supervision
Safe Ratio Recommendations In Early Childhood
Critical Reflection Questions For Ratios
Opinion: Are Current Childcare Staffing Ratios Enough
Opinion: Should the “Under the Roof” Staffing Loophole Be Closed
Ratios and Burnout: The Hidden Cost of “Minimum Standards”
Educator To Child Ratio Posters
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