Day care centers - how many infants?

Momtobug31 · November 2010

For you ladies that use day care centers (not in home) - how many infants (below age one) are there? The center we're looking at is great, except for the large infant room. There are 12 infants - this seems like a lot to me. They have a decent ratio (1:4, with a floater so oftentimes 1:3), but still, 12 babies seem like a lot.

LadyDelilah · November 2010

The one we are looking at has 8 but will take up to 10, they said they have never been at capacity for infants so its a 1-3 if not 1-2 ratio

KAtwinmom · November 2010

This is an interesting question. While I don't know what the regulations are in your state (and in CA, some counties have different regs), it sounds like you are aware of the ratio that they have currently. It's pretty easy to look up your counties' ratios to make sure that 1:4 is right for babies. What's different is that many states/counties don't regulate groups size, so that might be what you are seeing here. They are meeting the ratio, but as long as there are enough teachers, the number of children (and staff) can keep going. So, this is what I would suggest. First, make sure the 1:4 is the correct ratio. Then, spend some time in the program and see if you think it's too loud, if the infants seem bothered by the large group, if the room provides enough space that every child can sleep and eat on their own schedule, and that each infant gets the chance to bond with a "primary" caregiver. You might have to ask some questions to get the answers you need. Then, you can decide if this is a place that feels good to you, and that manages well even with a large group of kids.

Good luck!

h2babe · November 2010

A couple of the large centers I tourned take infants up to 16.

AdaraMarie · November 2010

Ours has 8 with a 1:4 ratio. I would just make sure there is enough space and that you don't think it is too loud. Ours seems kind of crowded sometimes.

trinny · November 2010

There are 2 infant rooms each with 8 infants. Room 1 = 6w-crawling, Room 2 = crusing-~16m.

I'd be concerned with 12 infants of varying ages and stages, but if they're all under crawling and the ratio is right, I'd be okay with that.

Temp159135562506975 · November 2010

as long as the room is large enough and the ratio is proper- there's no reason to have a lot of babies.... our infant room had about 16 babies- but it was a HUGE room with a ton of teachers - i have no problem with that as long as they are following policy.

lewis514 · November 2010

Our infant room can hold up to 12 infants with a 1:4 ratio. The 12-18month room is same number & ratio. I'm ok with it because the room is very large and they really work with the children in an age appropriate manner. They also will move children up early if they need more advanced lessons or are early walkers and need that stimulation.

financialdiva · November 2010

Our center has two infant rooms with the capacity for 12 each. One room is 6 weeks to mobile, the other is mobile to 14 months. I would be more concerned with an infant room that has 6 weeks to 12 months type thing b/c there is no way I would want my 12 week old with a 12 month old. And like PP said, as long as there is plenty of room, I don't think that 12 in a room is an issue at all.

I saw one center with room for 32 infants. Yikes!!!

Suzi-G- · November 2010

I think there are three or four infant rooms, so probably a total of 12-16 infants. But there are only 3 in DS's room with one teacher. The norm is 3-4 infants in a room with one teacher. The small rooms were a major deciding factor for us, I saw a lot of centers with the giant rooms with 10-12 babies in them and did not like it at all! Even though the ratios are the same, it's loud, chaotic and germy.

KAG30 · November 2010

Mine has 7 but they are only full 2 days a week and there are less the other days.

SimDoh · November 2010

7 babies (3 months to 10 months) with a min of 3 teachers and one teacher aide

tosababy · November 2010

Our center is 8, with the legally required 1:4 ratio, though there frequently is an extra helper in there. I wouldn't worry about a class size of 12 as long as the ratio is correct.

angelame1979 · November 2010

I don't know how many infants they have but I know not all of them are there every day. My DD is only there Tu-Fr and I know some are there only M, W, F or Wed-Fri or Mon-Thurs etc. etc. As long as the ratio is within guidines which is 4:1 or 3:1 then I am ok. They all are on different schedules anyways. At my center they don't put them on the same nap/feeding schdeule at that age. They let them nap and feed when they need to until they move up to the Toddler room. So not all the babies are up at the same time so it works out.

LJR 84 · November 2010

Ours has 8 babies and a 4:1 ratio. Most days it's probably more like 3:1 though...for some reason there are always babies out.

State regulations in MS only require a 5:1 ratio, which I think is just too much. I was very happy when I found out our daycare was a 4:1.

makclair · November 2010

In DS's first classroom 6w- crawler, there were a max of 10 infants. The crawler to walker classroom was also about 10 and the same for the next two One's clasrooms. He's in K2 now (there are 3 classrooms) and I think he has 12 now in his class. It has worked pretty well. His center abides by the state ratios (which is carpy 1:5) but they often have an extra helper, ect in there if things are super busy.

Irishsapphire · November 2010

Our infant room can hold up to 8 infants, and they each have their own crib. The past couple of months, they have had 6 infants. I would say they normally have 1 to 3 people there depending on how many infants show up that day.

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