RATIO AND GROUP-SIZE IN DAY-CARE PROGRAMS

Literature on the influences of ratio and group size on children's dev elopment in day care is reviewed. Relatively few studies are responsib le for the widely held beliefs about the influence of ratio and group size on children's development. When measured separately, ratio and gr oup size are sometimes, but not always related to children's developme nt. Some significant relationships are not in the expected direction. When included as variables in quality clusters, ratio and group size a re more likely to be related to developmental outcomes. Group size mor e consistantly influences development in the expected direction than r atio. This suggests the need for increased attention to group size in the policy arena. Regardless of methodology, ratio and group size expl ain a relatively small portion of the variance in children's developme nt. Ratio and group size have been found to have both direct and indir ect effects on development, indicating that they are potentially valua ble as proxy measures of children's experience in day care programs.