I am wondering if there is a DSS regulation which requires two adults (caregivers) in the room at all times in infant and toddler rooms, regardless of number of children. For example in a toddler room 1 to 6 ratio, can you have one teacher and 6 kids by herself, or do you always need two teachers if there are six or fewer children? I would greatly appreciate any information you can give me. Thank you for your time.
South Carolina Child Care Regulations require that at least 2 qualified people be present in the center at all times, regardless of how many children are present. In infant rooms where children range in age from birth through 12 months, there must be 1 caregiver present with no more than 5 children (1:5). In infant rooms where children range in age from 12 through 24 months, there must be 1 caregiver present with no more than 6 children (1:6).
If all of the children in the center are infants, under specific circumstances both of the caregivers might need to be in the same room with the infants, even though they are the only qualified staff in the center. For instance, if all of the infants are less than one year of age, and there are 10 infants remaining in the center, both caregivers would need to be in the room with those children to meet the ratio of 2:10. As you can see, two regulations must be satisfied at the same time, the one requiring 2 qualified staff to be present in the facility at all times, and the staff to child ratio regulation.