Teacher-Child Ratio - Infant

101416.5

(a) In addition to Sections 101216.3 (c), (e), (g) and (h), and notwithstanding Sections 101216.3 (a), (b), (d) and (f), the following shall apply:

(b) There shall be a ratio of one teacher for every four infants in attendance.

(1) An aide may be substituted for a teacher when all of the following conditions are met:

(A) There is a fully qualified teacher directly supervising no more than 12 infants, and

(B) Each aide is responsible for the direct care and supervision of a group of no more than four infants.

(2) When engaged in activities away from the center, there shall be a minimum of one adult to every two infants in attendance.

(A) This ratio may include authorized representatives of infants in care and adult volunteers to supplement the staff-infant ratio.

(c) The director and the assistant director in an infant care center or a combination center may be counted in the staff-infant ratio when actually working with infants.

(d) There shall be one teacher to every 12 sleeping infants provided the remaining staff necessary to meet the ratios specified in (b) above are immediately available at the center.

(1) An aide who is 18 years of age or older, and who meets the requirements of Sections 101216 and 101216.2(e), may be used in place of a teacher if the conditions specified in (d) above are met.

(e) There shall be provision for overlap of staff for different shifts so that continuity of care is assured.

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 1596.81, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 1596.72, 1596.73, 1596.81 and 1597.05, Health and Safety Code.