Last updated: September 2026. This page is for England EYFS nursery ratio planning. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different childcare ratio rules.
Nursery Ratio Calculator UK for England EYFS staff ratios
Use this free nursery ratio calculator to estimate the minimum number of staff you may need for under 2s, 2-year-olds and 3 to 5-year-olds in England.
- Calculate minimum staff numbers quickly
- Use the current 1:3, 1:5, 1:8 and 1:13 ratio rules
- Include approved Level 6 staff working directly with 3+ children
- Understand why minimum ratios are not the same as safe deployment
Staff ratio calculator
Enter your child numbers
Add the number of children in each age group. If you have an approved Level 6, Early Years Teacher, QTS or equivalent person working directly with the 3 to 5-year-olds, enter how many below.
You have 5 free calculations before email unlock.
Your result
Minimum staff estimate
This is a minimum ratio estimate. You may still need more staff in real practice.
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Nursery staff ratios used in this calculator
These are the main England EYFS staff-to-child ratios used by the calculator for early years group settings.
How to use the Nursery Ratio Calculator
Use the calculator as a first planning estimate, then sense-check the result against your rooms, opening pattern and staff deployment.
Enter children under 2
Add the number of babies or children under 2. The calculator uses the 1:3 ratio for this group.
Enter 2-year-olds
Add the number of 2-year-olds. The calculator uses the 1:5 ratio for this group.
Enter 3 to 5s
Add the number of children aged 3 to 5. The calculator uses 1:8 unless the Level 6 ratio is used.
Add Level 6 staff
Only include approved Level 6 staff if they are working directly with the 3+ children and can be counted.
Example nursery ratio calculations
These examples show how the ratio estimate changes depending on age group and whether the Level 6 ratio can be used.
Why your nursery may need more staff than the calculator shows
The calculator gives a minimum estimate. In real nursery operation, staffing decisions need to be safer and more practical than a single number.
Staff breaks
If a staff member leaves the room for lunch, comfort breaks, cleaning, meetings or handover, you still need safe cover.
Room layout
A room may technically meet ratio numbers but still need more adults because of blind spots, toilets, sleep areas or outdoor flow.
Children’s needs
SEND, settling-in, behaviour, mealtimes, sleep routines and safeguarding concerns can all increase staffing needs.
Qualifications
Staff must be suitable and appropriately qualified to be counted. The Level 6 ratio should not be used unless the rules are clearly met.
Opening and closing
A nursery can be in ratio overall but still feel stretched at the start or end of the day if staff shifts are not planned well.
Whole provision
Ratios apply across the whole provision, but you still need to deploy staff in a way that keeps every child safe and supervised.
Use these tools alongside the ratio calculator
Staffing ratios are only one part of planning a nursery. You also need to check space, capacity, funding, fees, earnings and cost of delivery.
Ofsted Nursery Space Calculator
Estimate how much usable indoor child space may be needed for your planned numbers.
Use the space calculator →
Nursery Earnings Calculator
Estimate nursery income, costs and possible profit using your own assumptions.
Use the earnings calculator →
Nursery Funding Fee Calculator
Estimate parent fees after funded hours and compare common funded patterns.
Use the funding calculator →
Nursery Cost of Delivery Calculator
Estimate what it may cost to deliver childcare per child per hour.
Use the cost calculator →Ratios are only one part of your nursery plan
You also need to understand your building, room sizes, staffing model, funding, Ofsted registration, policies, income and costs. If you want structured support, use the course, mentorship or book a consultation.
Use the premium planner if you want to build your rooms, capacity and staffing model properly before you make bigger decisions.
Helpful nursery setup resources
Nursery Documents
Access nursery policies, templates and documents to support your nursery setup.
Online Nursery Course
Learn how to open a nursery step by step, including Ofsted, premises, staffing, funding and marketing.
1:1 Consultation
Bring your staffing, building, Ofsted, finance or planning questions to a focused consultation.
Nursery Ratio Calculator FAQs
Is this nursery ratio calculator free?
Yes. You can use the calculator for free. After 5 calculations, you will be asked to enter your email to unlock unlimited free use on that browser.
Is this calculator for the whole UK?
This calculator is built for England EYFS nursery ratios. If you are operating in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you should check the rules that apply in that nation.
What are the nursery ratios in England?
The main ratios used in this calculator are 1:3 for children under 2, 1:5 for 2-year-olds, 1:8 for children aged 3 and over and 1:13 for children aged 3 and over where the approved Level 6 requirement is met.
Does this calculator replace the EYFS statutory framework?
No. This calculator is a planning tool. You must still check the latest EYFS statutory framework, qualification rules and any relevant Ofsted or local authority expectations.
Should I always staff at the minimum ratio?
Not always. You may need more staff depending on children’s needs, staff breaks, room layout, mealtimes, safeguarding, SEND, outings, sleep routines and how the day is organised.
Can I use 1:13 for all 3 to 5-year-olds?
Only use the 1:13 calculation where the approved Level 6 requirement is genuinely met and the relevant person is working directly with the children. If you are unsure, use 1:8 and check the official qualification rules.
Do nursery ratios apply per room or across the whole nursery?
Ratios apply across the whole provision, but you must still deploy staff safely. You should be able to explain how supervision, safety and children’s needs are met in each room and across the whole day.
What should I use after the ratio calculator?
Use the space calculator if you are checking a building, the earnings calculator if you are testing income, the funding fee calculator if you are setting funded fees and the cost of delivery calculator if you want to understand cost per child per hour.