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Child care center staff-to-child ratios and group sizes by state

Center ratios run from 1:3 to 1:6 for infants and from 1:6 to 1:15 for three-year-olds, depending on the state. The table gives each state's single-age ratio and group size as its rule writes them, with the age band the rule uses; the sections after it explain mixed-age groups, who counts toward the ratio and the 2025-2026 changes.

Written by Editorial team Checked against 66 official sources Last reviewed How we review
Contents9 sections

Key takeaways

  • Infant ratios are 1:4 in 32 of the 50 jurisdictions whose center rule covers infants (Hawaii's group center rule starts at age two). Maryland and Massachusetts are strictest at 1:3 (Kansas and Washington allow 1:3 only with a group of nine, and are counted at their 1:4 option); Georgia, Idaho and New Mexico are loosest at 1:6.⁠13⁠15⁠23⁠25⁠36
  • Rules for three-year-olds range from 1:6 in Vermont's 32-to-42-month band and 1:7 in New York and North Dakota to 1:15 in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas.⁠12⁠13⁠37⁠38⁠39⁠54⁠56
  • States do not share age bands. A "toddler" ends at 24 months in some rules and at 36 months in others, so compare the age in months the rule names, not the label.⁠36⁠48⁠28
  • Nine states set no numeric group size for centers in the rules read for this guide; some cap it by room capacity instead (Alabama, South Dakota) or with the fire marshal (Iowa).⁠1⁠18⁠51
  • Mixed-age rules differ: most use the youngest child's ratio, but New Hampshire averages ages, Wisconsin and New Jersey prorate, and Florida uses the largest age group.⁠12⁠34⁠35⁠60
  • Washington widened mixed-age time by an emergency rule filed June 11, 2026 that was neither renewed nor made permanent in DCYF's rule filings on 2026-11-11, and Wisconsin's 1:7 ratio for 18 to 30 months is set to revert on August 1, 2027.⁠60⁠62⁠63⁠66

Quick facts

Infant ratio range1:3 (MD, MA) to 1:6 (GA, ID, NM)
Most common infant ratio1:4, in 32 of the 50 jurisdictions whose center rule covers infants
Three-year-olds1:6 (VT, 32–42 mo) to 1:15 (FL, GA, NC, TX)
Four-year-olds1:8 (NY) to 1:20 (FL, NC)
First-grade age (6)1:10 (NY) to 1:26 (TX)
Smallest infant group6 in Maryland; 7 in Massachusetts
Usual mixed-age ruleRatio of the youngest child in the group

Ratios and group sizes as published in each state rule on 2026-11-11.

How to read the table

Each row shows the ratio a state sets for a group in which every child falls in the same age band. The age band follows in brackets where the rule’s band differs from the column heading. “1:4” means one qualified staff member for every four children present; a group of five then needs two staff. Group size is the most children allowed in one room or defined space, whatever the number of staff. Infant group sizes are listed first and the oldest band last. “No limit set” means the rule read for this guide has no numeric group cap for that state.

The columns are only a frame. Texas writes seven age rows for children under six, Ohio writes eight rows for children up to 15, and Alaska has one band for “three and four” year-olds.⁠41⁠54⁠2 Where a state has two rows inside one column, both are shown. Where a rule offers a choice between two ratios with different group caps, as in Kansas, Maine and Washington, both options appear.⁠19⁠22⁠58

Licensed child care center ratios and maximum group sizes by state (single-age groups), as published on 2026-11-11
State Infants Toddlers 3-year-olds 4-year-olds School-age Max group size Rule
Alabama 1:5 (0–18 mo) 1:7 (18 mo–2½) 1:11 (2½–4) 1:18 1:21 (to age 8) No limit set (room capacity) Ala. Admin. Code 660-5-26-.04 ⁠1
Alaska 1:5 (to 18 mo) 1:6 (19–36 mo) 1:10 1:10 1:14 (5–6); 1:18 (7–12) 10; 12; 20; 28; 36 7 AAC 57.505 ⁠2
Arizona 1:5 or 2:11 (to 12 mo, or 18 mo not walking) 1:6 or 2:13 (1s); 1:8 (2s) 1:13 1:15 1:20 No limit set A.A.C. R9-5-404 ⁠3
Arkansas 1:5 (0–18 mo) 1:8 (18–36 mo) 1:12 (2½–3) 1:15 1:18 Twice the ratio Center MLR ⁠4
California 1:4 (infant center) 1:6 (18–36 mo option) 1:12 1:12 1:14 No limit set 22 CCR 101216.3 ⁠5⁠6⁠7
Colorado 1:5 (6 wk–18 mo) 1:5 (12–36 mo); 1:7 (24–36); 1:8 (2½–3 yr) 1:10 1:12 1:15 (5+) 10; 10–14; 16; 20; 24; 30 8 CCR 1402-1, 2.217 ⁠8
Connecticut 1:4 (under 2) 1:5 (2s) 1:10 1:10 1:15 (endorsed program) 8; 10; 20; 30 RCSA 19a-79-4a, -10, -11 ⁠9
Delaware 1:4 (under 12 mo) 1:6 (12–23 mo); 1:8 (2s) 1:10 1:12 1:15 8; 12; 16; 20; 24; 30 14 DE Admin. Code 933, 27.1 ⁠10
District of Columbia 1:4 (0–24 mo) 1:4 (24–30 mo) 1:8 (30–48 mo) 1:10 (48–60 mo) 1:12 (under 6); 1:15 (6+) 8; 12; 16; 20; 24; 30 5-A DCMR 121.3 ⁠11
Florida 1:4 (to 1 yr) 1:6 (1–2); 1:11 (2–3) 1:15 1:20 1:25 (5+) No limit set F.S. 402.305(4) ⁠12
Georgia 1:6 (under 1, or non-walking) 1:8 (walking 1s); 1:10 (2s) 1:15 1:18 1:20 (5s); 1:25 (6+) 12; 16; 20; 30; 36; 40; 50 Rule 591-1-1-.32 ⁠13
Hawaii Not permitted (under 24 mo) 1:8 (2s) 1:12 1:16 1:20 (5+) 16; 24; 32; 40 HAR 17-892.2-36, Chart I ⁠14
Idaho 1:6 (under 24 mo) 1:9 (24–36 mo) 1:13 1:13 1:25 (5–12) No limit set Idaho Code 39-1109 ⁠15
Illinois 1:4 (6 wk–14 mo) 1:5 (15–23 mo); 1:8 (2s) 1:10 1:10 1:20 12; 15; 16; 20; 30 23 IAC 2008.190 ⁠16
Indiana 1:5 (6 wk–12 mo) 1:5 (12–17); 1:6 (18–23); 1:8 (24–29); 1:9 (30–35) 1:11 (36–47 mo) 1:13 (48–59 mo) 1:17 (5); 1:20 (6+) 12; 14; 16; 17; 25; 29; 31; 40 FSSA ratio chart ⁠17
Iowa 1:4 (2 wk–2 yr) 1:4; 1:7 (2s) 1:10 1:12 1:15 (5–10) Set with fire marshal 441 IAC 109.8 ⁠18
Kansas 1:3 (unit 9) or 1:4 (unit 8) 1:6 (walking, 12–30 mo); 1:7 (2s) 1:12 (2½+) 1:12 1:16 8–9; 12; 14; 24; 32 K.A.R. 28-4-428 ⁠19
Kentucky 1:5 (under 12 mo) 1:6 (12–24 mo); 1:10 (24–36) 1:12 1:14 1:15 (5–7) 10; 12; 20; 24; 28; 30 (Type I only) 922 KAR 2:120 ⁠20
Louisiana 1:5 (under 1) 1:7 (1s); 1:10 (2s) 1:13 1:15 1:19 (5); 1:23 (6+) 15; 21; 20; 26; 30; 38; 46 LAC 28:CLXI §1711 ⁠21
Maine 1:4 (6 wk–1 yr) 1:4 or 1:5 (1–2½) 1:7 (2½–3½); 1:8 or 1:10 (3–5) 1:8 or 1:10 1:13 8; 12 or 10; 21; 24 or 20; none for 5+ 10-148 CMR ch. 32 §7 ⁠22
Maryland 1:3 (6 wk–18 mo) 1:3 (18–24 mo); 1:6 (2s) 1:10 1:10 1:15 (5+) 6; 9; 12; 20; 30 COMAR 13A.16.08.03 ⁠23⁠24
Massachusetts 1:3 (under 15 mo) 1:4 (15–33 mo) 1:10 (33 mo+) 1:10 1:15 (K); 1:13 (school age) 7; 9; 20; 30; 26 606 CMR 7.10(9) ⁠25
Michigan 1:4 (birth–30 mo) 1:4; 1:8 (30–36 mo) 1:10 1:12 1:18 12; 24; 30; 40; 54 R 400.8222 ⁠26
Minnesota 1:4 (6 wk–16 mo) 1:7 (16–33 mo) 1:10 (33 mo+) 1:10 1:15 8; 14; 20; 30 Minn. R. 9503.0040 ⁠27⁠28
Mississippi 1:5 (under 1) 1:9 (1s); 1:12 (2s) 1:14 1:16 1:20 (5–9); 1:25 (10–12) 10; 18; 24; 28; 32; 40; 50 MSDH rules 1.8.2–1.8.3 ⁠29
Missouri 1:4 (birth–36 mo) 1:4; 1:8 (2s-only group) 1:10 1:10 1:16 (5+) 8; 16; 20; 32 5 CSR 25-500.112 ⁠30
Montana 1:4 (0–11 mo) 1:6 (12–23 mo); 1:8 (2s) 1:10 (3–5) 1:10 1:20 (6+) 12; 12; 16; 20; 40 ARM 37.96.106 ⁠31
Nebraska 1:4 (6 wk–18 mo) 1:6 (18 mo–3) 1:10 1:12 1:15 No limit set (infant rooms 12) 391 NAC 3-006.15 ⁠32
Nevada 1:4 (under 9 mo) 1:6 (9 mo–2); 1:9 (2s) 1:12 1:13 1:18 (5+) 8; 12; 18; 24; 26; 36 NAC 432A.5205 ⁠33
New Hampshire 1:4 (6 wk–12 mo) 1:5 (12–24); 1:6 (24–36) 1:8 1:12 1:15 (60 mo+) 12; 15; 18; 24; 24; 30 He-C 4002.35–.36 ⁠34
New Jersey 1:4 (under 18 mo) 1:6 (18 mo–2½) 1:10 (2½–4) 1:12 1:15 (5+) 4 infants or 6 toddlers per caregiver; 20; 30 N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3, -4.4 ⁠35
New Mexico 1:6 (6 wk–12 mo) 1:6 (12–24); 1:10 (2s) 1:12 1:12 1:15 12; 12; 20; 24; 30 8.9.4.23 NMAC ⁠36
New York 1:4 (6 wk–18 mo) 1:5 (18–36 mo) 1:7 1:8 1:9 (5); 1:10 (6–9); 1:15 (10–12) 8; 12; 18; 21; 24; 20; 30 18 NYCRR 418-1.8 ⁠37
North Carolina 1:5 (0–12 mo) 1:6 (12–24); 1:10 (2s) 1:15 1:20 1:25 (5+) 10; 12; 20; 25 10A NCAC 09 .0713 ⁠38
North Dakota 1:4 (under 18 mo) 1:5 (18–36 mo) 1:7 1:10 1:12 (5–6); 1:20 (6–12) 10; 15; 20; 25; 30; 40 75-03-10-08 ⁠39
Ohio 1:5 or 2:12 (under 12 mo) 1:6 (12–18); 1:7 (18 mo–2½); 1:8 (2½–3) 1:12 1:14 1:18 (K to under 11); 1:20 (11–14) 12; 12; 14; 16; 24; 28; 36; 40 OAC 5180:2-12-18 App. A ⁠40⁠41
Oklahoma 1:4 1:6 (1s); 1:8 (2s) 1:12 1:15 1:20 (5+) 8; 12; 16; 24; 30; 40 OAC 340:110 App. GG ⁠42
Oregon 1:4 (6 wk–24 mo) 1:4; 1:5 (24–36 mo) 1:10 1:10 1:15 8; 10; 20; 30 OAR 414-305-0400, Table 3A ⁠43
Pennsylvania 1:4 (birth–1) 1:5 (1–2); 1:6 (2–3) 1:10 1:10 1:12 (K–3rd grade); 1:15 8; 10; 12; 20; 24; 30 55 Pa. Code 3270.51 ⁠45⁠64
Rhode Island 1:4 (6 wk–18 mo) 1:6 (18–36 mo) 1:9 1:10 1:13 8; 12; 18; 20; 24; 26 218-RICR-70-00-1 ⁠48
South Carolina 1:5 (birth–1) 1:6 (1–2); 1:8 (2–3) 1:12 1:17 1:20 (5–6); 1:23 (6–12) No limit set S.C. Regs. 114-504 ⁠49
South Dakota 1:5 (to age 3) 1:5 1:10 1:10 1:15 (5+) No limit set (room capacity) ARSD 67:42:17:19, :21 ⁠50⁠51
Tennessee 1:4 (6 wk–15 mo) 1:6 (12–30 mo); 1:7 (2s) 1:9 1:13 1:16 (5); 1:20 (in school) 8; 12; 14; 18; 24; none for school-age Rule 1240-04-01-.22 ⁠53
Texas 1:4 (0–11 mo) 1:5 (12–17); 1:9 (18–23); 1:11 (2s) 1:15 1:18 1:22 (5); 1:26 (6–13) 10; 13; 18; 22; 30; 35 26 TAC 746.1601, .1609 (centers licensed for 13+) ⁠54
Utah 1:4 (0–17 mo) 1:5 (18–23); 1:8 (2s) 1:12 1:15 1:20 (5+) 8; 10; 16; 24; 30; 40 R381-100 ⁠55
Vermont 1:4 (birth–18 mo) 1:4 (18–30); 1:5 (24–36) 1:6 (32–42 mo); 1:10 (36 mo–K) 1:10 1:13 (1st grade+) 8; 10; 15; 20; 26 CBCCPP regs. 6.2.1 ⁠56
Virginia 1:4 (to 16 mo) 1:5 (16–24); 1:8 (2s) 1:10 1:10 1:18 (to 9); 1:20 (9–12) 12; 15; 24; 30; none for school-age 8VAC20-780-350 ⁠57
Washington 1:4 (group 8) or 1:3 (group 9) 1:7 (group 14) or 1:5 (group 15) 1:10 1:10 1:15 8–9; 14–15; 20; 30 WAC 110-300-0356 ⁠58
West Virginia 1:4 (6 wk–12 mo) 1:4 (13–24); 1:8 (2s) 1:10 1:12 1:12 (5); 1:16 (school-age) 8; 12; 16; 20; 24; 32 78 CSR 1, App. 78-1-E ⁠59
Wisconsin 1:4 (birth–18 mo) 1:7 (18 mo–2½); 1:8 (2½–3) 1:10 1:13 1:18 (5+) 8; 14; 16; 20; 26; 36 DCF 251.055 ⁠60
Wyoming 1:4 1:5 (1s); 1:8 (2s) 1:12 1:12 1:18 (5+) 10; 12; 18; 30; 40 DFS Child Care Licensing Rules ch. 11 §2 ⁠61

Scroll the table sideways to see every column.

Hawaii’s group child care center rule lists children under 24 months as “Not Permitted”; it covers care for children two and older only.⁠14 Arizona’s “infant” is a child 12 months or younger, or 18 months or younger and not yet walking.⁠3 Montana’s table has been in ARM 37.96.106 since May 1, 2025.⁠31 California’s 1:12 preschool ratio rises to 1:15 with an aide and 1:18 with a fully qualified teacher plus an aide who has six units of early childhood coursework.⁠5

Age bands do not line up from state to state

The same label covers different children. Minnesota’s “toddler” runs from 16 to 33 months, Kansas’s from 12 to 30 months for a child who walks, and Maryland’s only from 18 to 24 months.⁠28⁠19⁠24 The infant band ends at 15 months in Massachusetts, 14 months in Illinois and 18 months in New Jersey, while Nevada’s first band stops at 9 months.⁠25⁠16⁠35⁠33 Georgia ties the infant ratio to walking: a non-walking child up to 18 months stays at 1:6, and a walking one-year-old moves to 1:8.⁠13

Some states count by birthday, some by months. Maryland says a child’s age “is determined solely according to the date of the child’s most recent birthday”.⁠23 Texas sets four ratios inside the first three years: 1:4 to 11 months, 1:5 at 12 to 17 months, 1:9 at 18 to 23 months and 1:11 for two-year-olds.⁠54 Idaho uses points instead of bands: each staff member may carry 12 points, a child under 24 months counts 2, a child of 3 to under 5 counts 0.923, and a school-age child 0.48, which works out to 6, 13 and 25 children.⁠15

A few rules have overlapping bands. Vermont lists 24 to 36 months at 1:5 and 32 to 42 months at 1:6; Maine lists 2½ to 3½ years at 1:7 alongside “3 years to under 5” at 1:8 or 1:10.⁠56⁠22 Colorado has 12 to 36 months at 1:5 and 24 to 36 months at 1:7.⁠8 In those states, check with the licensing office which line governs a classroom before you set enrollment.

Mixed-age groups

The youngest child sets the ratio and group size in most states, including Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Michigan, Virginia and North Carolina.⁠46⁠20⁠26⁠57⁠38 Other rules use a different method.

  1. Youngest child, with a 20 percent threshold

    Alabama, Colorado and Georgia apply the youngest child’s ratio only when the youngest age category makes up more than 20 percent of the group; Georgia applies this to centers licensed for 19 or more.⁠1⁠8⁠13

  2. Majority age

    New York and New Mexico use the age of the majority of children. South Carolina does the same only when no infant or toddler is in the group. South Dakota uses majority age in mixed groups of centers serving more than 20 children, but 1:5 once three or more children are under three.⁠37⁠36⁠49⁠52

  3. Average or median age

    New Hampshire bases group centers’ ratio and group size on the average age of the children in the group.⁠34 Louisiana lets a center average the ratios for mixed groups of 2- to 5-year-olds, but the youngest child governs once a child under 2 is in the group.⁠21 Texas uses the “specified age” of the group, the age of the child at the midpoint of the group when the children are listed from youngest to oldest.⁠54

  4. Prorating

    Wisconsin adjusts the table on a pro rata basis by the children’s ages. New Jersey computes staff for each age group to the nearest tenth and adds a staff member for any fraction left over. North Dakota assigns each band a decimal value (.25 for under 18 months, .05 for 6 to 12 years).⁠60⁠35⁠39

  5. Largest age group

    Florida bases the ratio for children 2 and older on “the age group with the largest number of children within the group”.⁠12

  6. Oldest child minus one

    Utah, for mixed groups without infants or toddlers, uses the oldest child’s ratio less one child and that group size less two.⁠55

  7. Separate mixed-age charts

    Oklahoma’s chart allows infants through 2-year-olds at 1:6 with no more than two infants per teacher, and 4-year-olds and older at 1:18. Maryland and Massachusetts set group compositions, such as a Maryland group with three or more infants capped at six children with two staff.⁠42⁠23⁠25

Several states limit which ages may share a room at all. North Carolina keeps children under one apart from children two and over, with narrow exceptions such as the first and last operating hour.⁠38 Rhode Island allows only six listed combinations of age groups, and New York never mixes infants except in approved continuity-of-care rooms.⁠48⁠37 Tennessee never groups infants with children older than 30 months.⁠53 Arizona keeps infants out of groups with older children whenever six or more children are present.⁠3 Mississippi keeps preschool children out of school-age groups.⁠29 Iowa allows 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds to combine at 1:12, and keeps 1:7 when a child under 2 joins an 18-month-to-3-year group.⁠18

The strictest and loosest states by age

These extremes come from the table above, using the single-age ratio for the age named.

Strictest and loosest single-age ratios, licensed centers, as published on 2026-11-11
Age Strictest Loosest Most common
Infant under 12 months 1:3: Maryland, Massachusetts 1:6: Georgia, Idaho, New Mexico 1:4 (32 of 50, counting the 1:4 option in Kansas and Washington)
18-month-old 1:3: Maryland 1:9: Mississippi, Texas 1:6
3-year-old 1:6: Vermont (32–42 mo band); 1:7: New York, North Dakota 1:15: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas 1:10
4-year-old 1:8: New York; Maine (one of two options) 1:20: Florida, North Carolina 1:10
6-year-old in school 1:10: New York 1:26: Texas 1:15

Scroll the table sideways to see every column.

For a staffing plan the gap matters more than the ranking. Twelve infants need four teachers at Maryland’s 1:3 and two at Georgia’s 1:6.⁠23⁠13 Twenty four-year-olds need three teachers at New York’s 1:8 and one at Florida’s or North Carolina’s 1:20.⁠37⁠12⁠38 Kansas and Washington let a center trade a lower ratio for a slightly larger infant group: Kansas allows 1:3 with nine infants or 1:4 with eight, and Washington 1:3 with nine or 1:4 with eight.⁠19⁠58

Group size limits

A group-size cap limits how many children share one room or space even when you add staff. Maryland’s infant groups top out at six, Massachusetts’s at seven, and Louisiana allows 15.⁠23⁠25⁠21 For school-age children Michigan allows 54 in a group, Georgia 50 for children 6 and older, and Mississippi 50 for 10- to 12-year-olds.⁠26⁠13⁠29

Nine states set no numeric center group size in the rules checked: Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, South Carolina and South Dakota.⁠1⁠3⁠5⁠12⁠15⁠18⁠32⁠49⁠51 Several of them cap groups another way. Alabama defines group size by room capacity, the child’s age, staff and equipment. South Dakota uses room capacity and allows three extra children when ratios hold. Iowa sets group size with the state fire marshal and prints capacity on the license.⁠1⁠51⁠18 Nebraska has no general cap but limits any room with infants to 12 children.⁠32 Arkansas sets group size at twice the one-staff ratio and exempts buildings licensed before November 1, 2002.⁠4 Kentucky applies its group sizes only to Type I centers.⁠20 In Tennessee, Virginia and Maine, the school-age band has no group cap.⁠53⁠57⁠22

Most capped states relax the cap at certain times while keeping the ratio. Missouri drops group size for children two and older during outdoor play, gym time, meals, field trips and special events, and lets outdoor ratios reach 1.5 times the indoor ratio when no child two or younger is outside.⁠30 Georgia’s caps do not apply on the playground, for special activities of up to two hours, or in centers licensed for 18 or fewer.⁠13 Delaware lets a center exceed group size when 12 or fewer children are present.⁠10 New Mexico lets centers that already ran larger infant and toddler groups keep them if ratios are kept; new licensees must meet the 12-child cap.⁠36 Tennessee allows a center to exceed ratios and group sizes by up to 10 percent no more than three days a week, never for infant and toddler groups.⁠53

Who counts toward the ratio

Directors. Georgia counts the director and service staff only while they give full attention to supervising children.⁠13 Missouri does not count the director at all once attendance passes 50, except at naptime or as an emergency substitute.⁠30 North Carolina bars staff counted in the ratio from preparing food or cleaning at the same time, unless only one caregiver is required and no child under two is present.⁠38

Support staff and volunteers. Maine excludes staff whose main job is clerical, cooking or maintenance; Rhode Island excludes auxiliary staff; Minnesota counts only qualified teachers, assistant teachers and aides who work directly with children.⁠22⁠48⁠27 Nebraska does not count volunteers, and the District of Columbia counts them only in the cases its rule specifically allows.⁠32⁠11 Massachusetts counts volunteers and student interns only if they are at least 16 and assigned to the program for at least three months.⁠25 Iowa requires anyone counted in the ratio to be at least 16.⁠18

Your own children. Pennsylvania counts the operator’s and staff members’ children toward the ratio, as do Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Vermont, Washington and South Dakota.⁠47⁠20⁠22⁠26⁠56⁠58⁠50 Colorado counts them against licensed capacity.⁠8 Oregon counts every child except a child supervised by a visiting parent who is not counted as staff, and minors who serve as volunteers.⁠44

Recent and pending changes

  1. Washington, June 11, 2026

    Emergency rule WSR 26-13-050 lets centers combine age groups at the youngest child’s ratio for up to 2½ hours a day, or 4 hours if 90 minutes are set aside for staff meal and rest breaks. It amends the first-and-last-two-hours limit that the Legislature’s published WAC 110-300-0356 still prints on 2026-11-11.⁠62⁠58 The rule was not renewed or made permanent: on 2026-11-11 the Department of Children, Youth, and Families listed only a notice of intent (WSR 26-10-098) and this emergency order for ESHB 2219, with no proposed or permanent rule.⁠66 DCYF says emergency rules are in effect for 120 days, which from June 11 runs to October 9, 2026, yet its emergency-rules page still listed this one as in effect on 2026-11-11; confirm with DCYF which mixed-age limit it enforces.⁠65

  2. Wisconsin, through July 31, 2027

    The DCF 251.055 table now reads 1:7 with a group of 14 for 18 months to 2½ years. The rule text says this wording reverts on August 1, 2027. DCF’s Ratios Pilot, also ending July 31, 2027, required participating centers to certify from January 19, 2026.⁠60⁠63

  3. Michigan, May 7, 2025

    R 400.8222, which holds the five-band table with group sizes of 12, 24, 30, 40 and 54, carries the history line 2025 MR 10, effective May 7, 2025.⁠26

  4. Iowa, July 1, 2025

    The 441 IAC 109.8 ratio rule in force on 2026-11-11, including 1:7 for two-year-olds and 1:10 for three-year-olds, carries ARC 9021C, effective July 1, 2025.⁠18

  5. New Hampshire, August 26, 2025

    He-C 4002 was adopted with the infant and toddler program and group center ratios in the table.⁠34

  6. Louisiana, January 2026

    Section 1711 of Bulletin 137, which holds the center ratios and group sizes, was last amended at LR 52:27 (January 2026).⁠21

  7. New Mexico, September 9, 2026

    An amendment to 8.9.4 NMAC, including section 23 with the ratio tables, took effect.⁠36

For the national picture of each license type, see child care center licenses and family child care licenses.

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