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Neen
Citizen
Username: Neen
Post Number: 230
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 9:43 am: | 
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I have recently visited a number of daycare facilities in our area and was surprised to find out that the ratio of infant to teacher is 4:1 in most cases (the state minimum) and I found one instance of 3:1. I was hoping for 2:1 which I know many people have elsewhere. Does anyone know of anywhere in the South Orange area that has that ratio? |
akb
Citizen
Username: Akb
Post Number: 415
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 10:44 am: |
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I'm not aware of anyone doing 2:1. That would be a nanny share rather than daycare.
That said, 4:1 is the maximum. Remember, not all babies will be dropped off and picked up at the same time, and their sleep patterns will be staggered too. Some moms will drop in to nurse; some parents will pick the baby up early. I don't recall a time when our babies were in daycare when I ever saw a daycare worker with 4 active babies. Usually you'd come in and see one in arms, one playing with another worker or in an exersaucer and the rest asleep. |
Handygirl
Citizen
Username: Handygirl
Post Number: 709
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 10:54 am: |
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I have never heard of a daycare facility with a 2:1 ratio, or even a 3:1 ratio. Every place that I have encountered (and I've looked at at least 10 in MW/SO/Livingston/Milburn) state that they are 4:1. They do this knowing that, most of the time, the ratio will be less, but, on occasion, they will need to have a 4:1 ratio (someone calls in sick, has to go to the bathroom, etc.). 2:1 would be way too expensive for a daycare facility to maintain. If you want that kind of attention, you might want to consider a nanny or nanny share.
akb is right, I have two kids, both of whom have been in day care as infants and, generally, the actual ratio is less than 4:1. Even when it is 4:1 some babies are sleeping, or playing, or in an exersaucer, or in the kidney-shaped feeding table playing or eating. If a baby room is well-planned and the babies are various ages (3 mo. - 1 year) a 4:1 ratio is more than sufficient. Young babies like to be held a lot, but they also sleep a lot. Older babies do not sleep as much, but they need to crawl and climb and roll around more. It all works out. |
C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 2619
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 11:01 am: |
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My experience was the same as the above two posters. 4:1 works fine for all of the above reasons. |
Former Cowgirl
Citizen
Username: Formercowgirl
Post Number: 84
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 11:04 am: |
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Just want to agree with pp that I've never heard of less than 4:1 for infants in a daycare setting. And also agree that it's rarely 1 provider taking care of four awake and active infants. (Though this DOES happen, of course.) My son was in daycare (not in NJ) from about 3 months to 2 1/2 years. Hindsight being 20-20, I think the BEST care he got was when he was in the infant room.
Because infants are really the most low maintenance: feed them, change them, rock them, burp them. No runs to the potty, no questions needing answers, rarely any boo-boos needing tending, not fights over toys to break up, no biting, no hitting. A lot of the time is spent in the swing, the bouncy chair, the arms of the provider, etc. Which is pretty much what they'd be doing at home or with a nanny.
The key is finding a daycare with an infant room teacher you feel extremely comfortable with. We loved our son's infant teachers and this really helped with our transition to daycare. We only started becoming less in love with his teachers as he reached the toddler rooms. |
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