https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 11 May 2026 08:32:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-461977 Sat, 22 Dec 2012 18:09:14 +0000 lavender 461977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's our ratio in our daycare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-461970 Sat, 22 Dec 2012 18:06:44 +0000 immabeetoo 461970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm definitely not saying I think it's wrong - but having 1 relatively easy newborn... I cannot imagine being in charge of more than 1 haha!! I've nannied/babysat but always for toddlers or older. Yikes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-461930 Sat, 22 Dec 2012 17:35:11 +0000 kml636 461930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The state law here for licensed day cares is they can only have two under the age of two. BUT there are so many other factors to consider... I don't think there is a right answer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-448399 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 08:10:25 +0000 blackbird 448399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're looking at in-home daycares, and only 3 babies with no other kids sounds great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-448370 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 07:52:54 +0000 T.H.O.U. 448370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For a center I know the ratio is 4:1 but like @mediagirl: in a home setting it is a bit different. </p> <p>What happens when she has to go to the bathroom? When does she plan on eating lunch? </p> <p>Logistically yes its not that crazy of a ratio but I would talk to her a bit about how she plans to handle the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-448314 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 02:35:20 +0000 mediagirl 448314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like in a daycare environment where it's 3:1 or 4:1, they have other teachers around to help if two babies start crying. In an in-home situation, it's just the one caregiver for 3 babies and no helpers just in case. I might be worried about that when they're super young. As they older (6mo+,I wouldn't worry as much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-448279 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:16:02 +0000 mrstilly 448279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Tricycle: I'm in NY and I use a licensed in-ome day care provider. She can have 2 children under 2 years of age, and 4 additional children who are under school-age. DS was 5 months when he started and she had a 9 month old, plus 4 between 2 and 5 years and she seemed to handle it just fine. DS loves it there. He's now 20 months and she took on a baby in September who is now 5 months old. She still has 4 other older children too and they all seem to be happy and content when I am there.</p> <p>I think 3 babies without any other kids would be okay. I used to feel overwhelmed at times with just DS, but at the end of the day the babies go home and she gets a break (and is probably well rested!). I wouldn't worry too much, unless there is anything specific that makes you think she couldn't handle it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-448270 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:02:43 +0000 autumnlove 448270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our daycare is 3 to 1! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-448268 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:00:02 +0000 Mrs. Tricycle 448268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's just three babies, and no other kids. Other teachers at school have used her, but their children were preschool age. I guess three babies just seems like a lot because I'm overwhelmed by one - and he seems to cry almost constantly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-448190 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 21:36:03 +0000 Mrs. Blue 448190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Most of the daycares we looked at had 4:1 ratios. We chose the one that tried to keep their ratios at 3:1, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-448149 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:45:51 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 448149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How many other kids are there in the daycare. If it's more than 1 or 2, I'd be concerned. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-448147 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:44:56 +0000 MamaMoose 448147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Tricycle: I know the feeling. I think we all get overly emotional when there is any kind of change to our expected plan for our baby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-448144 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:41:46 +0000 mrbee 448144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>3:1 is a pretty great ratio! If the babies are sick it would be tough, but then they probably shouldn't be at daycare! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-448135 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:38:12 +0000 mrs. bird 448135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>in MA 3:1 is the max for infants legally. does she have any helpers that come in during the day? she probably wouldn't take on more than she can handle, but i guess it also depends on the level of neediness of the babies. do you know other ppl that have used her in the past? maybe talking to them could help calm any concerns you have. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-448130 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:34:39 +0000 Andrea 448130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our center is 3:1. When DD was a baby, we were lucky in that they just happened to have low enrollment so we got the benefit of a 2:1. However, I've never seen 3:1 as an issue. There's usually only 1 baby crying at a time and they can handle it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-448125 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:32:36 +0000 Bao 448125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked in a daycare and I had 4 infants to myself. Then, when I worked in the toddler room I had four 12 month olds to myself, the 12 month olds were more work than the infants!! I'm sure she will be fine with 3 :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-448124 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:32:01 +0000 matador84 448124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yup state law here in Texas in a newborn room is 4:1. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-448120 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:28:28 +0000 Mrs. Tricycle 448120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMoose: maybe my hormones are just on overload - I was crying think about it today. Glad to know that the ratio at some places is 4:1. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-448118 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:28:18 +0000 Weagle 448118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think there's a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio here, too. Is she an experienced caregiver? They probably aren't all going to be crying all at the same time too often. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-448115 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:27:44 +0000 Mrs.B 448115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes that is to much IMO. I am an in home daycare provider and from personal experience any more then 2 babies at a time was way to much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-448109 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:24:48 +0000 MamaMoose 448109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Most day cares (including the one we'll be using) have a four to one ratio. Yes there will be times that the baby will cry and won't be picked up right away. But honestly I see that as a good thing so they can learn to self soothe. Obviously she would never let a baby cry for a long period of time. Just think, moms with triplets make it work : ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-3-babies-to-one-day-care-provider-is-ok#post-448100 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:21:39 +0000 Mrs. Tricycle 448100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Before LO was born, we lined up an in-home day care provider. She was only going to watch my baby and another teacher's baby that is a month older. When I called today to check in, I found out she would be watching three babies, all around four months old. She said she's totally cool with it, but I'm nervous. I'm having bad visions about the baby crying in a pack and play and never being held when he needs comfort because there are two other babies to watch, too. What do you think? Are three babies too much for one day care provider? </p>