Federal law requires states and territories to establish standards for child group sizes (by child care setting and child age) and staff-to-child (staff:child) ratios for each age group of children receiving care.
Standards for staff:child ratios and group sizes are a way to ensure the safety, well-being, and development of children in child care programs.
Required ratios and group sizes help staff provide better supervision and care and provide children with more opportunities to develop social skills by allowing them to consistently interact with a smaller group of children and staff.
- Staff:child ratio is the number of children for whom each child care staff member (or family child care provider) is responsible for supervising. Required staff:child ratios differ by age. For example, a staff:child ratio of 1:10 for 4-year-old children means that one staff member must be assigned to supervise no more than 10 4-year-old children.
- Group size is the maximum number of children allowed to be in the care of a staff member, provider, or a team of staff members in a specific setting (such as a classroom or family child care home) or area (such as a playground). For example, the requirement could be that a group of 4-year-old children not exceed 16 children in a preschool classroom no matter how many staff members are present. Note: In a family child care home, the group includes all children who are receiving care at any one time.
Low staff:child ratios and small group sizes help ensure children get enough one-on-one attention from their teacher or caregiver. In general, children who are younger should have more adults present and smaller group sizes.
- One-on-one attention helps children feel safe and secure and reduces feelings of being overwhelmed—for both children and adults. This responsive caregiving is very important to your child’s social-emotional development, physical well-being, and overall learning.
- A smaller group size allows adults to interact more easily with each child and quickly respond to each child’s unique needs.
Staff:child ratio and group size requirements vary by state and type of program. Check your state’s or territory’s staff:child ratio and group size requirements for licensed child care programs by selecting your state or territory on the “See Your State’s Resources" page and reviewing the “Understanding and Finding Child Care” tab.
The chart below provides some general recommendations from early childhood experts for safe staff:child ratios and group sizes.*
Recommended Staff:Child Ratio and Group Size: Child Care Centers
Ages | Staff:Child Ratio | Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants: Younger than 12 months old | 1 adult should care for no more than 3 infants | No more than 6 infants in a group or class |
Toddlers: 13–35 months old | 1 adult should care for no more than 4 toddlers | No more than 8 toddlers in a group or class |
Preschoolers: 3 years old | 1 adult should care for no more than 7 preschoolers | No more than 14 preschoolers in a group or class |
Preschoolers: 4 years old | 1 adult should care for no more than 8 preschoolers | No more than 16 preschoolers in a group or class |
Preschoolers: 5 years old | 1 adult should care for no more than 8 preschoolers | No more than 16 preschoolers in a group or class |
School-age children: 6–8 years old | 1 adult should care for no more than 10 school-age children | No more than 20 school-age children in a group or class |
School-age children: 9–12 years old | 1 adult should care for no more than 12 school-age children | No more than 25 school-age children in a group or class |
Recommended Staff:Child Ratios and Group Sizes: Large Family Child Care Homes
Ages | Staff:Child Ratio | Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants: Younger than 12 months old | 1 adult should care for no more than 2 infants | No more than 6 infants in a group or class |
Toddlers: 13–23 months old | 1 adult should care for no more than 2 young toddlers | No more than 8 young toddlers in a group or class |
Toddlers: 24–35 months old | 1 adult should care for no more than 3 older toddlers | No more than 12 older toddlers in a group or class |
Preschoolers: 3 years old | 1 adult should care for no more than 7 preschoolers | No more than 12 preschoolers in a group or class |
Preschoolers: 4–5 years old | 1 adult should care for no more than 8 preschoolers | No more than 12 preschoolers in a group or class |
School-age children: 6–8 years old | 1 adult should care for no more than 10 school-age children | No more than 12 school-age children in a group or class |
School-age children: 9–12 years old | 1 adult should care for no more than 12 school-age children | No more than 12 school-age children in a group or class |
Note: In family child care home programs, providers should include their own children under the age of 6—as well as any other children in the home temporarily requiring supervision—in the staff:child ratio. Family child care home programs with mixed-age groups that include infants and toddlers should maintain a maximum staff:child ratio of 1:6, and no more than two of these children should be 24 months or younger.
* American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, & National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education. (2019). Caring for our children: National health and safety performance standards: Guidelines for early care and education programs (4th ed.).
Certainly! The article you provided touches on several key concepts related to child care regulations and standards, including staff-to-child ratios, group sizes, and their significance in ensuring the safety, well-being, and developmental progress of children in child care programs. Let's break down the essential concepts addressed:
Staff-to-Child Ratios and Group Sizes
1. Staff-to-Child Ratio: This denotes the number of children supervised by each childcare staff member. For instance, a ratio of 1:10 for 4-year-olds means one staff member for every ten 4-year-old children. 2. Group Size: The maximum number of children under the care of a staff member or team in a particular setting or area. For example, a preschool classroom may have a group size limit of 16 children for 4-year-olds, irrespective of the number of staff present.
Importance of Ratios and Sizes
1. Supervision and Care: Lower staff-to-child ratios and smaller group sizes ensure adequate attention from caregivers. This one-on-one attention fosters a secure environment, reduces feelings of being overwhelmed, and aids in the social-emotional development, physical well-being, and learning of children. 2. Responsive Care: Smaller groups enable caregivers to interact more effectively with each child, swiftly attending to their unique needs.
Age-Based Ratios and Sizes
1. Varied Ratios: The required staff-to-child ratios and group sizes differ based on the age group being cared for, such as infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. 2. Recommendations: The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, and the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education offer recommendations for safe staff-to-child ratios and group sizes, tailoring them according to the different age groups.
Standards and State Variations
1. State-Specific Requirements: Regulations on staff-to-child ratios and group sizes vary by state and program type. Individuals seeking childcare services are encouraged to review their state or territory's specific regulations for licensed childcare programs. 2. Family Child Care Homes: Requirements for family child care homes are also outlined, considering the provider's own children under the age of 6 and any other children requiring supervision temporarily.
The information you shared draws heavily from the guidelines outlined in "Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards." These standards are developed collaboratively by recognized institutions like the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, and the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education, lending credibility and authority to the recommendations provided.
If you need further details or clarification on any specific aspect, feel free to ask!
