Children need lots of attention and supervision to stay safe and feel loved. Experts recommend one adult for no more than three to four babies, four to six toddlers, or seven to ten preschoolers. If there is only one caregiver on the premises, find out if there's a backup who can be summoned immediately in case of an emergency.
Smaller groups mean less noise and chaos, better communication, and more individualized attention.
Babies should not be in groups of more than eight to ten, toddler groups should be kept to ten to 20, and preschoolers limited to 15 to 20. Yards should be fenced in. Dogs should be kept away from kids. Studies show that caregivers who have at least some education in child development tend to be more sensitive and responsive to children and more committed to their jobs. A bachelor's or associate's degree in child development is highly recommended, but research shows that any coursework in child care can be helpful, because caregivers pick up tips on child development and learn how to handle behavioral problems.