Determining the Quality of Child Care

Licensing

Licensing indicates that state standards have been met. Most States regulate child care centers by licensing; some States also license child care homes. Licensing includes an on-site visit to assure that basic requirements (for health, safety, and child/staff ratios) have been met and periodic inspections to monitor continued compliance. This may include inspections by the local health department, the fire department, and the licensing agency. Keep in mind, however, that States vary considerably as to the minimum standards allowed. Most of the State licensing offices listed in the section on Local Child Care Referral Agencies can provide you with information about the specific regulations in your State.

Registration is a variation of licensing used by some States for child care homes. Registration relies more heavily on parents as monitors than does the traditional licensing. Inspections are not usually required prior to registration, and States vary considerably in the degree to which registered homes are monitored.

Staff/Child Ratios at Child Care Centers

The National Association for the Education of Young Children provides the following guidelines for staff/child ratios at child care centers. To the extent possible, the care you choose should follow these guidelines.

For infants (birth-15 months), a group of six infants should be supervised by one teacher for every three infants (1:3). Eight infants is the maximum number of infants recommended and should be cared for by one caregiver for every four children (1:4). A group of six toddlers (12-28 months) should have one instructor for every three toddlers (1:3); for a group of eight, one instructor for every four children (1:4); for a group of 10, one instructor for every five children (1:4); and for a group of 12, one instructor for every four children (1:4).

A group of eight children (24-36 months) should be supervised by one teacher for every four children (1:4); for a group of 10 children, one teacher for every five children (1:5); and for a group of 12 children, one teacher for every six children (1:6). A group of 14- 2.5 year olds-3 year olds (30-48 months) should have one instructor for every seven children (1:7); for a group of 16, one instructor for every eight children (1:8); for a group of 18, one instructor for every nine children (1:9) and for a group of 20, one instructor for every ten children (1:10).

For four-year- olds, a group of 16 children should be supervised by one instructor for every eight children (1:8); a group of 18 children by one instructor for every nine children (1:9); and a group of 20 children by one instructor for every ten children (1:10).

A group of 16 five-year olds should be supervised by one teacher for every eight children (1:8); a group of 18 children by one teacher for every nine children (1:9); and a group of 20 children by one teacher for every ten children (1:10). For kindergartners, a group of 20 children should be supervised by one teacher for every ten children (1:10); a group of 22 by one teacher for every eleven children (1:11); and a group of 24 children by one instructor for every twelve children (1:12).

Recommended Staff/Child Ratios Within Group Size. 

* Smaller group sizes and lower staff-child ratios have been found to be strong predictors of compliance with indicators of quality such as positive interactions among staff and children and developmentally appropriate curriculum. Variations in group sizes and ratios are acceptable in cases where the program demonstrates a very high level of compliance with criteria for interactions, curriculum, staff qualifications, health and safety, and physical environment