I've often thought about ratio.
Here's what it is where I live
6weeks-15months 1-4
16-35 months 1-7
3-5 1-10
School age 1-15
In my opinion, that's too many kids. Here's what I would have it at.
Infants, 1-3
toddlers 1-5
3-5 1-7
School age 1-10
I feel like these are MUCH more manageable. It also ensures more 1-1 time with each kid and better care. You're not spread so thin.
First off, I'm an autistic man and I grew up with two of my younger brothers on the spectrum as well. Both are much less functioning than me. I have been at this facility for three weeks. Anyways, there's a child that doesn't speak. No parents or grandparents have ever heard him speak. He doesn't have any names for anyone. His mom and the other teachers find him difficult to connect with. He and I INSTANTLY connected and now he's my little shadow. In three weeks, I have taught him ten words. (Mommy, No, bubbles, bye bye, cow, poop, help, please, eat and more)
The issue is that he now calls me mommy for some reason. Although I can find it cute, mom has mixed feelings and I understand why. On the one hand, he's FINALLY speaking and she gets to hear him say Mommy, on the other hand, he doesn't call her mommy, only me. I've tried explaining to the other teachers and mom how I connected with him and how I'm teaching him to speak, but they're just not understanding. I also am not quite sure how to explain it to other adults.