Which of the following age groups requires the highest staff-to-children ratio?

The age group of children under 1 year requires the highest staff-to-children ratio because infants have specific developmental needs that necessitate more supervision and care. Infants are entirely dependent on caregivers for their safety, basic needs, and developmental support. Their inability to communicate effectively and their vulnerability to physical harm call for closer, more attentive care, which in turn demands a higher ratio of staff to ensure that each infant receives the proper attention and nurturing required for healthy growth and development.

As children grow older, their needs become less intensive in terms of supervision and direct care, allowing for a lower staff-to-children ratio for older age groups. For instance, toddlers and preschool-aged children may still require significant attention but can engage in activities that provide them more independence, thereby allowing for fewer caregivers relative to the number of children. Consequently, the staffing requirements are designed to reflect the varying levels of dependence and the specific supervision needed by different age groups, making the youngest children the priority for higher ratios.