Why Choose a Small Center Over a Large One?

At Healthy Kids, we believe children thrive when they are truly known. Our Active Supervision pillar ensures that safety and connection work hand-in-hand—teachers are fully present, anticipating needs, guiding behavior, and supporting children as they grow socially and emotionally.

Statewide Reach, Small-Center Feel

While Healthy Kids has many centers spread throughout the state, each location is designed to feel warm, familiar, and personal. Families benefit from the resources of a larger network combined with the close-knit environment of a small center, where every child is known, supported, and celebrated.

Ask Yourself-

Do I want a close-knit setting where my child is truly known?

Do I prefer strong relationships with consistent caregivers and low turnover?

Am I considering whether a smaller center provides more personalized attention than a large program?

What to Look For-

✅ Teachers positioned strategically around the room

✅ Staff scanning, counting, and actively engaging children

✅ Simple posters about supervision rules visible in classrooms

✅ Warm, familiar caregiver relationships that come from lower staff turnover

What to Know

Our Active Supervision approach ensures safety while also encouraging socialization in small groups. Children benefit from close attention, guidance during play, and support as they move from parallel play to cooperative play—all in a setting where every child is truly known.

Research from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) highlights that smaller class sizes and consistent caregiver relationships lead to stronger social-emotional development and fewer behavioral challenges. In smaller centers, teachers can anticipate children’s needs more effectively, reduce stress, and promote positive interactions. This aligns with the Active Supervision model, where caregivers are proactive rather than reactive.

Small Centers

Lower child-to-teacher ratios

Consistent, long-term caregiver relationships

Every child is truly known by name and personality

Stronger social-emotional support and behavior management

More flexibility to adapt to each child’s unique needs

Large Centers

Higher child-to-teacher ratios

Greater risk of caregiver turnover

Children may receive less individualized attention

More structured but less flexible environments

Behavior management often reactive instead of proactive

Choosing a smaller center means your child is more likely to be recognized as an individual, with caregivers who know their unique needs, routines, and personality. This consistency builds trust, enhances safety, and supports better guidance compared to larger programs where turnover and higher ratios can make individualized attention more difficult.