A sure sign of a high quality child care center is a center that maintains adequate staff-to child ratios. In fact, staff-to child ratios has a major affect on the quality of childcare that children receive in many ways.
” Child-to-staff ratios and group sizes are two of the best indicators for determining the quality of a child care program and they significantly effect many other health and safety issues. Smaller group size is associated with a lower risk of infection in child care. (excerpt from the 13 Indicators of quality childcare report by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)
The risk of illness in children between the ages of one and three years of age increases as the group size increases to four or more, whereas children in groups of three or fewer have no more risk of illness than children cared for at home.”
(Bartlett, Orton, & Turner, 1986; Bell, Gleiber, Mercer, Hifer, Guinter, Cohen, Epstein, & Narayanan, 1989). The risk of repeated ear infections increases in one- to six-year old children who attend child care in groups of more than six children (Hardy & Fowler, 1993).
Moreover, when your child care facility is out of child-to-staff ratio, this could result in a citation from your local Child Care Licensing agency; if observed during a licensing visit.
For more information on how to maintain a proper Child-to Staff Ratio at all times in your center, along with having access to downloadable forms and resources links including my Director’s handbook, Join the Center Owner eClub today!
With Quality Care in mind!
Shiketa
The Child Care Business Owner Institute 
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