10 Signs Your Local Daycare is Overcrowded

Finding a good daycare facility is always a concern for working parents. There are strict rules for licensed daycares to follow and the best ones are almost always full to capacity or strapped with a long waiting list to get in. In their search for a daycare that has openings available, parents may get distracted by finding one with an opening and possibly overlook some subtle problems. Whether you’re just looking or already have your child enrolled in a facility, here are 10 signs your local daycare is overcrowded.

1. Constant illnesses – One of the first signs to watch for is constant illnesses. Spreading germs in a daycare is pretty much inevitable, but overcrowding only makes it worse. If your child is continually sick, this could be a problem with the daycare facility being stretched to its limits.
2. Behavioral problems – Another common problem with overcrowded daycares is lack of supervision. This can lead to behavioral problems if left unchecked. Children can become argumentative, defiant and unruly if left unsupervised for long periods of time.
3. Injuries – Children who experience overcrowding in local daycares are prone to more injuries. These can often be minor things like scratches and bruises or more major concerns such as cuts or burns. Lack of supervision can lead to kids fighting amongst themselves or getting into things they shouldn’t be allowed to.
4. Stalled development – Without adequate emphasis on learning and activities, children from overcrowded daycares can have stalled development. They need constant interaction and stimulation to develop new skills and progress normally, which can be hard to do when teachers are constantly trying to manage too many children.
5. Children not being clean – If your child is often grubby when you pick him up from the daycare, this could be another sign of overcrowding. It’s difficult to keep active kids clean all the time, but if this is a common occurrence, it could be a cause for concern.
6. High turnover rate – Local daycare facilities with a high child turnover rate could also be a sign of overcrowding. Some parents may be forced to place their children in a less desirable facility until there’s an opening elsewhere. These daycares may also take on too many kids because of the volatile client base.
7. Owner is stressed – Another sign of daycare overcrowding is when the owner is in a perpetual state of distress. Trying to care for too many children day after day and keep up the illusion that nothing is amiss must be very stressful, and will eventually wear on even the most composed of people.
8. Unsanitary conditions – A common thing parents and daycare inspectors look for in daycare facilities is unsanitary conditions. This is not always a good indicator because overcrowded facilities can be kept spotlessly clean while others are not. However it is something to watch for.
9. Difficulty keeping staff – Overcrowded local daycares often have trouble keeping staff. If you notice constant staff changes at a facility that could be another warning sign. Caring for too many children and trying to hide it from others is not a job anyone wants to do for very long.
10. Headcount – Of course the most obvious sign of overcrowding is to get an accurate headcount of children being cared for and the number of staff. You then need to check with your state standards to find out what the acceptable limits are. Your own personal standards must also be considered when making a determination.

It pays to do your homework when trying to find an acceptable local daycare. Check with other parents and children of the daycare you’re interested in. Take time to observe them during the day instead of just talking to the owner after regular hours. Overcrowding is a major concern and has lead to at least one death of an infant. The safety of your child is the most important consideration when deciding on which local daycare to use.

Taken From Nanny Agencies