infant transitions? (long - sorry)

socialworkerbee

First, I've posted several questions here lately and am really grateful for people's input - it has really helped me in my day care search.

 Now on to today's question - 

Some background - DH and I have been looking for an infant daycare for the last month or so.  We pretty much have agreed upon center-care, not because I'm against family day cares but because the ones we've seen that can accommodate our schedule have not been ones we've felt great about.  BUT the centers are expensive that we are really concerned about the impact that will have on our ability to take care of other family needs I just saw another center that is more affordable.  There were things I loved about it (which mostly had to do with their toddler/preschool program) and the references I spoke to were extremely positive about the center and the director, but here's my concern with the infant care -- I need feedback, please!!!  The infants start out in a room with 10 infants and 3 staff.  As the babies get around 7 months or so, they generally transition to another classroom with older infants 7-15 months.  To me, this seems like a lot of caregivers (although the turnover in staff is low) Does anyone have experience or thoughts regarding the pros and cons of this arrangement?  TIA.

mrsmikey

I'm a little confused about your question.  Are you concerned about the infant:teacher ratio?  Because I think 10:3 is pretty good.  Or is it the older classroom you're concerned about?  What is the ratio in that room?  Is the staff of 3 always the same 3 teachers, or do they rotate? 

Where DS goes to daycare, the ratio is 4:1, and there are 8 infants and 2 teachers in each class.  There is a 0-6 month class, and then a 6-10 month class.  His teachers are always the same, except for at lunchtime, when they have subs come in so his teachers can take lunch.

mrshutch

That's a good ratio- I'm also not sure if you're concerned that there are too many staff or if you're worried about fewer staff in the older room. DD is in the 15 - 24 mo. room (I think it starts at 15) and there are 3 teachers for 12 - 15 toddlers (some kids are part-time). There are also support staff members floating around. It's a great arrangement.

springtime81

In my son's daycare, they transition to a new room at a year, where all the kids are between 12 and 24 months.

If you're concerned about your baby transitioning at 7 months, honestly I think that would be easier on a 7 month old than on a one year old!  It's usually around 8 months that stranger/separation anxiety sets in, so think of it this way - your baby's transition to a new caregiver will be smooth.  For my son, when he transitions, it's going to be very difficult to leave his two current caregivers behind.

I kind of wish our daycare did that - my DS really needs some older playmates at daycare, especially since he's the only walker in his room.

socialworkerbee

Sorry I'm not so clear!  Basically I'm concerned that b/c of the transition at 7 months, the baby will have 6 caregivers total in the first 15 months (3 in the first class and 3 in the second class).  Also, a lot of programs I saw had the kids in one class from 3 months to about 13 or so months, so I'm wondering what the pros and cons are of an extra transition.  THANKS AGAIN!!!

MrsB*s

I'm not sure I would worry too much about the transition -- that is just before (from what I have read) that babies really start with separation anxiety, so it seems unlikely your dc would really notice or care at that age. ?In some ways, there is such a huge difference between a 3-month- old and a 9-month-old that it is nice that they will be in different rooms -- our dd's first transition will be at 18 months, which is nice, but on the other hand, she will be in a room with kids a lot older than her at first.

?I don't think there is a perfect solution or a reason to really worry about it -- I'd say, if you like the center, go for it! ??

mrsmikey

I kinda like the 6 month transition in my son's DC.  I don't like the idea of 12 month olds being in the same class with 3 month olds.  They just have such different needs.  And it's always a pain to have walkers in with non-walkers.  They crawl all over the little babies.  And kids really get alot out of being around older kids.  I know when DS moved up at 6 months we were so ready for him to go, because I felt like he wasn't getting anything out of sitting around with little babies all day, and wanted him in the next class where the babies were crawling around.  Now he's getting ready to transition to the next class up, which is about 10-15 months.  They move them up more on development than age.  He didn't have any problems with the transition from the baby class to the class he's in now, and I don't expect any problems with this next transition.  I think it's a good thing for them not to get too attached to their teachers.

Pesky

That's actually a fairly normal ratio.  Usually they stagger the babies in age and development.  IOW, they won't have 10 8wk old babies in there who need a lot of attention and work.  There will be older babies who can entertain themselves for periods of time.  Also, they tend to stagger the naptimes so the kids aren't all out at the same time.  And I wouldn't worry about the # of caregivers at this point.  They adjust. 

E C

I wouldn't worry about the transition.  In my mind, it gives DD the opportunity to learn that she can trust other adults.

Taylor44

My DC just implemented a new room for the 7-12 month olds.  It is a transition room from the infant room to the 1 year old room.  I think it is a great idea and it worked well for me.  It just so happened that my son was in the age group that moved to the new room a few months after it started.  Like mentioned in PP - I think it is important to keep the infants separate from the crawlers and walkers.  It gives the infants more time on the floor when they are separated.  As far as the issue of the teachers, I honestly think the transition is harder on the parent then the child.  I don't think my son even noticed that he had a new teacher.  It was me that had to get used to the new teacher's personality and habits.  To me, the fact that the DC has a transition room is a positive thing.

MrsAmers

DD basically had a transition every 6 months in her first year at daycare and she did just fine.  With the transition from the younger infant room to the older infant room, they integrated some of the kids and teachers early.  For example, the crawlers in the young infant room would play with the older infants and their teachers once a day.   And when DD transitioned from the older infant room to the toddler room, one of the student teachers from the older infant room moved over with them for a few months to help them be comfortable.

As long as the transitions are handled with respect for the kids adjustment, I wouldn't be worried about 6 caregivers in the first year. 

azuremama

Our daycare has 0-12 months in one room.  They all are fed and sleep on demand.  At 1 year (or when the kiddo is ready), they move to the next room, where they are much more scheduled and all nap at the same time.  I have heard it's a pretty rough transition from infant room to toddler room for a lot of kids.  I like the idea of the 7-15 month room. 

Plus, sometimes I feel a little bad for DS.  He can't crawl or sit up or even roll that well, so when a couple of the other kids can crawl, he seems kind of defenseless! 

jlw2505

In MN, the law is 1 teacher for every 4 infants.  My girls are in a center and I love it.  The set up at my center is the infant room is up to 1 year.  There is a little baby side and moving baby side.  There are typically about 15 babies there, somedays a lot less.  My DD is just starting to move to the bigger side of the room.  The babies move to the Busy Baby room at 12 months although they start visiting for short time periods at 9-10 months (as long as they are crawling).  At 16 months, they start visiting the toddler program and move up at 17 months.  In the toddler program, they have 2 teachers with 14-18 kids.  In all the rooms, they have aides that help when needed and the Dir and 3 asst dirs are often in the rooms helping out.  I love it, my girls get amazing care and really the staff.