NSW Regulatory Authority issues advice on maintaining ratio

As New South Wales manages a slight increase in active COVID-19 cases, the Department of Education, the State’s Regulatory Authority has issued further information and advice in relation to meeting ratios and ensuring adequate supervision while also juggling unpredictable enrolments and staffing. 

While recognising that the current environment may make it difficult for services to know how many children will be attending on a given day, and which staff members will be present, “the priority is always the health, safety and wellbeing of children in education and care”.

As such, the Department said, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, adequate supervision requirements including ratios continue to apply. Services experiencing difficulties in meeting requirements due to COVID-19 should contact the department for further advice.

Waivers are being granted to services experiencing challenges in maintaining the correct levels of staff qualifications, and, in exceptional circumstances, ratios. 

“These are considered on a case-by-case basis and will be fast-tracked, subject to there being no increased risk to the safety of children or staff. Fees for waivers relating to COVID-19 will be waived or refunded,” information from the Department read.

The Department noted that only services who “clearly need a waiver” because they do not have staffing capacity to meet the required ratios or qualifications should apply.

For further information or assistance, please contact the Information and Enquiries team by phone to 1800 619 113.