Crèche: 12 babies to one minder

I stumbled into the crèche the other day and it was like a scene from some kindergarden film from the 1980s, babies everywhere but only a single minder. I counted and there were 12 of them, all under the age of about 2, in various places in the room. My own little one was crying on the floor, and there was some lunatic kid who kept trying to jump off a bench that the minder was trying to stop him from doing while looking after another crying baby. I've often gone in and there were six, seven or eight babies to one minder and I've been concerned that almost always one or two children are left crying while the minder looks after another. 12 kids to one minder is, however, a record.

Overall, I've been happy with this crèche as my baby seems very happy there and I do arrive at various times so I can get a feel for it throughout the day. However, it seems to be perennially understaffed and the stress under which childminders operate as a result is worrying (there seems to be a high turnover of employees). I'm paying over €1000 per month (c. €13,000 of after tax income per year) so it's not like I'm choosing to be a cheapskate on this. I genuinely am concerned that the ratio is dangerous. Is this sort of room ratio normal in other crèches? Are there any guidelines on a maximum number of babies per minder?

Pawwed Rig

Not normal at all in my experience and I wouldn't be accepting it when paying that kind of money.

fineso.mom

Ratio is 1 adult to 5 kids under two I think.
Have a look at the' Pre school regulations 2006 '.
It's definitly 1 to 11 for 3 to 4 yr olds so one adult and twelve babies is completely wrong, not to mention dangerous.

bobmalooka

The maximum ratios are 1 for every 3 kids under 12 months and 1 for every 5 between 12 and 30 months under the child care act.

There should be a minimum of 3 staff in that room

Your crèche is choosing higher margins over minimum safety and legal requirements, you should consider are they the best people to trust with the most precious thing know your life.

Moonbeam

Speak to them.
Was one changing a nappy ?
Was one in the sleeping room ?
Had one gone to the toilet ?

Either way it is pretty unacceptable and breaks the rules .

neris

You say babys then talk about kids jumping can you clarify the age group as a baby is an under 1 and they arent known for jumping around