When I worked in a center, the ratio was 1:4. Our infant room (6 weeks- 18 months) was licensed for 11, so we had 3 staff for 11 babies. The last year I worked there we had a fresh crop of babies who were all under a yeat, so most every day was 11 baby babies and 3 adults. It was so stressful trying to meet each individual childs needs, and it began to feel mechanical. I never built a solid bond with one of those babies that last year, which I feel is so important in infant care.

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