Ms Bernie McNally:

That ratio is necessary in after-school care. It is different from a classroom situation. There might be a ratio of 1:30 in a classroom, but the children sit at a desk most of the time and they follow a curriculum.

There is a teacher there, there might be a principal down the corridor, there might be a secretary, there might be an SNA, etc. and there may be other supports. In school age childcare, it is often one provider. Out of term, there can be long days and they could be there for ten hours. There are multiple age groups so there could be five year olds and 12 year olds so it is a different challenge. The Minister approved that ratio in the end but it was the recommendation of an expert group made up of-----