sadly, stats show that only ONE out of four centers provide optimal care for a baby's emotional, physical, and social development. That means 75% of babies are receiving basic to poor care. I agree with me#2, if parents really knew, I bet many would find a way to stay home. I visited a center that had 20 babies to one room, with 5 caregivers. Mobile kids on one side, quiet ones on the other. It looked like a zoo. Noisy. Aggressive behaviors showing, just to compete for affection from a caregiver. Caregivers showing favorites for quieter babies, but stressed dealing with fussy ones. Ratio was posted as 1-4, but reality was they scheduled 5 so there would always be four in the room while one took a break. And then you have a min. of 50% staff turnover in most enters every year. No consistency amongst caregivers. Many moms have no choice, but many make the choice to work. I see some of these babies in day care 10 hours or more a day. We have a 24-hr center in our area, and they allow care for up to 12 hours! (evening into night shifts). And you tell me this baby will be OK?? The last center I worked at parents chose to work, instead of getting starter stuff like our parents did, then move up, they all want the best and fancy now. And paying for child care was a bottom priority, get the care for the cheapest. I was glad to read in the newspaper that many moms are choosing to stay-at-home with their babies. A trend long overdue.
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