Pregnant after a Loss

Daycare...5:1 ratio normal?

We just got back from looking at a daycare possibility.  I liked the place/people, it's convienent, they have webcams, and good actitivities/programs in place.  But....I'm a little concerned about the ratio of 5 infants to 1 teacher.  I can't imagine taking care of 5 babies!  Is this normal?

Re: Daycare...5:1 ratio normal?

  • I think that's a little much.  I worked at a day care that was 3 to 1, and the most I've seen was 4 to 1.

    That means there could be 10 infants but only 2 adults.  Do they have a max per room?  A lot have an 8 infant max, and always 2-3 teachers. 

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  • I used to work in an infant room at Kindercare, and the ratio was 4:1
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  • Is 5:1 the ratio for the entire daycare or for the infant room?  I wouldn't be too concerned if it's the entire daycare, especially if they have afterschool care;  I would be very concerned if this is the infant ratio.  This may necessitate a follow-up question.  I think industry norm for infants is 3-4:1 for infants.  FWIW, my daycare is 3:1 and each adult watches the same three children everyday.

  • It is all based on your states requirements for licensing.  If KY required at least a 1:5 ratio that what you will consitently find.  However some states have different ratios and when I worked at a relocation assistence company I often had to call daycares for those who were moving.  I have seen plenty of daycares with 4:1 and even 3:1 ratios.  But like I said it's all based on the state you live in and it very well could have been those states min requirements for licensing.
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  • I am in Early Childhood Education. State laws are 5:1 in most states and up to eight babies to 2 teachers in an infant room. It is sad to watch girls take care of babies when they're eight in one room! It gets crazy.
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  • That seems high for an infant room. Most we saw were 3:1 or 4:1. I don't think I'd be careful with 5:1.
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  • The center that my dd goes to, had a 4:1 ratio in the baby room.  I'm not sure what the age range is at the center you're looking at, but at our center, the baby room was newborn - 18 months.  So, when they assign the kids to the primary care giver, they didn't give one person 4 newborns at once.  They spread out the kids, so they might have one new baby and one that is 6-8 months and then maybe a 12 month old and a 15 month old.  So, it was nice, because not every one of them wanted to be held all the time.  This was our experience - and we were VERY happy with our center. 

     

    Hope this helps!  Good luck!

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