1. **State the problem:** We need to find the least number of staff members required to mind all children in the crèche, given the maximum number of children one staff member can mind for each age group. 2. **Given data:** - Age 0-1 years: 1 staff member can mind up to 3 children - Age 1-2 years: 1 staff member can mind up to 5 children - Age 2-3 years: 1 staff member can mind up to 6 children - Age 3-6 years: 1 staff member can mind up to 8 children 3. **Assumption:** To find the least number of staff members, we need the total number of children in each age group. Since the problem does not provide the number of children, we cannot calculate the exact number of staff members needed. 4. **Formula:** If $N_i$ is the number of children in age group $i$ and $M_i$ is the maximum children one staff member can mind in that group, then the number of staff members needed for that group is: $$\text{Staff}_i = \left\lceil \frac{N_i}{M_i} \right\rceil$$ 5. **Total staff members needed:** $$\text{Total Staff} = \sum_i \text{Staff}_i = \sum_i \left\lceil \frac{N_i}{M_i} \right\rceil$$ 6. **Explanation:** We divide the number of children in each age group by the maximum children one staff member can mind, then round up to the nearest whole number because staff members cannot be fractional. 7. **Conclusion:** Without the actual number of children $N_i$ in each age group, we cannot compute the least number of staff members needed. If you provide the number of children in each age group, I can calculate the exact number of staff members required.