Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, those are great ratios. I am moving from a state in New England where home day cares usually have 6 kids to 1 caregiver, with at least two kids older than 14 months (so they very often have 3 to 4 infants). Now moving to a center in VA with 2 adults for 10 kids in the 2 year class, and that was the lowest ratio we could find. The 3 home day cares we visited had a 1 to 3 or 4 ratio, but none were properly baby proofed, and with a very active toddler they just seemed too risky.

Were they licensed? Because if they are licensed, they get inspected (surprise inspections) frequently and baby proofing is part of that inspection. Our first provider got dinged for not having an outlet cover on one outlet, for example.

Yes they were licensed! It was stuff like normal dangers not being blocked off - in one my kid actually managed to waltz into the kitchen and turn on a stove burner while we were talking to the provider, and in another he climbed a set of very accessible stairs in the back yard where the kids play onto a higher level (about a 5 foot drop) with no guard rail and broken toys stored. Yes, my kid is very active, and I am sure with only a few kids the providers should be paying attention....but the while point is that they're strangers, I DON'T know them and can't assume they will be spotting him constantly like I do at home. So he will be at a center with a bigger group and larger ratio, but at least no ways I could imagine grevious injury in a quick visit.

Anonymous wrote:Wow, those are great ratios. I am moving from a state in New England where home day cares usually have 6 kids to 1 caregiver, with at least two kids older than 14 months (so they very often have 3 to 4 infants). Now moving to a center in VA with 2 adults for 10 kids in the 2 year class, and that was the lowest ratio we could find. The 3 home day cares we visited had a 1 to 3 or 4 ratio, but none were properly baby proofed, and with a very active toddler they just seemed too risky.

Were they licensed? Because if they are licensed, they get inspected (surprise inspections) frequently and baby proofing is part of that inspection. Our first provider got dinged for not having an outlet cover on one outlet, for example.

Anonymous wrote:This is why even though we can barely afford it, I'm sending our baby to a center. I toured about 10 home daycares and just cannot do it.

It's personal preference. I was really uncomfortable with the centers we looked at - the ratios were really high, I didn't feel like kids were getting love and personal attention, etc... I'm 100% comfortable with our in home provider - they are like family.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sort of freaking out about this (especially since that tragic SIDS case in Maryland), but my DC in-home has two caregivers for 3 6-month olds (one is mine), a 17 month old, and a 3 year old. DC regs only allow 2 babies under 2 for in-homes, and a 2:1 ratio for "expanded" in-homes (with more than 6 kids). I love and trust our provider and really don't want to change centers, but can't stop worrying about the ratios. We were also last in, so would probably be first out too. So torn, because 99.9% chance everything will be fine, but what if??

PP, you either don't actually trust your provider, in which case you should get out, or you have anxiety, in which case you should see a psychiatrist. Not judging, I suffer from anxiety. You shouldn't have to feel this way.

Definitely anxiety, and I do see a psychiatrist. It is hard for me not to be anxious knowing they are non compliant with the DC licensing regulations, even if I feel like the provider is a fabulous caregiver. I also know the regs are out of date, but don't know if the ratio she has is reasonable. The three year old will be starting preschool in the fall, so she's looking for another baby/kid now. She did say she'll get another teacher when she gets another kid. I wish she wasn't so awesome, so I could feel better about leaving.

Ratios are not something that become "out of date" in terms of regulations. Whether it's 1985 or 2016, one adult is still one adult, and three infants are still three infants. If she was so awesome, she would follow the regulations regarding ratios. Follow your gut on this.

3 providers (but really 2 because the 3rd is part time) and licensed for 8 kids but she likes to keep 6. Currently there are only four, but that's because she's holding spots for two new siblings that will start in the fall/winter.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sort of freaking out about this (especially since that tragic SIDS case in Maryland), but my DC in-home has two caregivers for 3 6-month olds (one is mine), a 17 month old, and a 3 year old. DC regs only allow 2 babies under 2 for in-homes, and a 2:1 ratio for "expanded" in-homes (with more than 6 kids). I love and trust our provider and really don't want to change centers, but can't stop worrying about the ratios. We were also last in, so would probably be first out too. So torn, because 99.9% chance everything will be fine, but what if??

Was there a DCUM thread about the recent SIDS death in Maryland? I couldn't find it using the search function, and didn't really want to wade through dozens of posts about SIDS.

http://wjla.com/news/crime/4-month-old-baby-dies-at-allegedly-understaffed-maryland-daycare

Didn't hear about this until now. That's so sad.

Wow, those are great ratios. I am moving from a state in New England where home day cares usually have 6 kids to 1 caregiver, with at least two kids older than 14 months (so they very often have 3 to 4 infants). Now moving to a center in VA with 2 adults for 10 kids in the 2 year class, and that was the lowest ratio we could find. The 3 home day cares we visited had a 1 to 3 or 4 ratio, but none were properly baby proofed, and with a very active toddler they just seemed too risky.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sort of freaking out about this (especially since that tragic SIDS case in Maryland), but my DC in-home has two caregivers for 3 6-month olds (one is mine), a 17 month old, and a 3 year old. DC regs only allow 2 babies under 2 for in-homes, and a 2:1 ratio for "expanded" in-homes (with more than 6 kids). I love and trust our provider and really don't want to change centers, but can't stop worrying about the ratios. We were also last in, so would probably be first out too. So torn, because 99.9% chance everything will be fine, but what if??

Was there a DCUM thread about the recent SIDS death in Maryland? I couldn't find it using the search function, and didn't really want to wade through dozens of posts about SIDS.

http://wjla.com/news/crime/4-month-old-baby-dies-at-allegedly-understaffed-maryland-daycare

7-8 kids, 2 teachers. Kids are 6 mos, 9 mos, 14 months, 4 3 year olds, and a 4 year old. They're great. My son is 3 and has been there since he was 4 months old.

8 kids (usually)
2 teachers