Adult-to-child ratios for holiday clubs, day camps and trips

Check which staffing rules apply

Compulsory Childcare Register: Ofsted’s daycare requirements say there must be enough people at all times for children’s safety and welfare, with at least one person for every 30 children. At least one must be the provider, manager or a staff member, and at least one must hold an appropriate first-aid certificate. You must still have enough people to keep children safe. One person for 30 children is a minimum under these rules, not a suitable ratio for every activity. ^[1]

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): check whether this framework applies to your club. It has a specific rule for clubs running only before or after school or during holidays for children normally in Reception or above. You must decide how many staff are needed to keep children safe, taking account of activities, ages and needs. Different rules apply to younger children. Do not simply copy nursery ratios. If you are on the voluntary register, check its rules too. ^[2][3]

Recommendations for other settings

For settings outside education and early years, NSPCC recommends at least two adults and these minimum supervision ratios for the age bands relevant to school-age clubs. These are recommendations, not universal legal ratios. The activity and children’s needs may require more adults. ^[4]

NSPCC’s recommendation for young helpers is to count only people aged 18 or over as adults. Registered childcare has its own age, suitability and qualification rules; do not confuse those with this recommendation. ^[4]

Count the adults who can actually supervise

Our suggested staffing sheet records each group, children present, activity, assigned adults and their responsibilities. Work through arrival, snack time, toilet trips, staff breaks, an injury and collection. Someone supporting one child, preparing food or dealing with a parent cannot automatically supervise a separate group at the same moment.

For example, 24 children aged seven would imply four supervising adults using the NSPCC 1:6 recommendation. If one leaves with an injured child, only three remain. Plan suitable cover or change the activity; the rota no longer shows how many adults are actually available.

Reassess trips and changes

Before an outing, reconsider road crossings, water, transport, toilets, meeting points and individual support. Check the venue or activity provider’s conditions and specialist requirements. Record the actual supervision arrangements in your risk assessment. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises identifying what could cause harm, who could be affected and what you will do to reduce the risk. Review the plan when things change. ^[5]