![]() ![]() When children are napping, it is acceptable for one adult to remain alone with the group of children. ![]() The only exception to the standard ratios described above is during rest time. It is a good idea to have walkie-talkies or phones available to reach another adult if help is needed. Whenever you are responsible for children, you must monitor and maintain a ratio. The standard ratios apply indoors and outdoors. This is important for the children’s well-being and for your own. Ratios apply all the time! You must be vigilant about maintaining an appropriate staff-to-child ratio. More adults are needed to keep children safe when you leave your building. In addition, different staff-to-child ratios are required during field trips. For example, if a child with a disability (including medical needs or who uses a wheelchair) enters the classroom, additional adults may need to be on call in the event of an emergency. There may be times when a higher staff-to-child ratio is necessary. Your program may have different standards based on level of staff support, training, and monitoring. These group sizes and ratios are guidelines. If the majority of the class is 3 years old, the maximum recommended group size drops to 18 (ratio 1:9). NAEYC recommends a maximum group size of 20 for children ages 4 and 5 (ratio 1:10). National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) program standards (2018), the American Academy of Pediatrics (2019), and the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (2019) provide guidelines for ratios and group sizes. Staff-to-child ratios have two parts: (a) the number of children per staff member and (b) the maximum group size. Limiting the number of children in a classroom can also improve your job satisfaction. Adults can get to know the children well, individualize interactions, and promote independence. Third, small group sizes allow adults to respond quickly and sensitively to children’s needs. Second, small group sizes allow children to interact and form friendships with peers. First, smaller groups are easier to supervise for safety and in the event of an emergency. They also limit the number of children each adult is responsible for. For this reason, child development programs put limits on the number of children in a classroom. Young children feel the same way when they are overcrowded. We try to protect our space and our belongings. Sometimes these environments make us feel defensive. Have you ever been to a crowded concert, shopping center, or sporting event and thought, “There are just too many people here!” For many of us, these crowded environments make us feel nervous and sometimes angry. ![]()
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