CHILD-TO-STAFF RATIOS
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CHILD-TO-STAFF RATIOS

CHILD-TO-STAFF RATIOS

The child-to-staff ratio (the number of children for which each child care provider is responsible) affects the quality of care a child care provider can give to each child. Small group sizes and low child-to-staff ratios are recommended by the American Public Health Association (APHA), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Having a smaller number of infants/toddlers/children for each adult to take care of has been associated with:

  • Children imitating earlier, and more often than usual, the speech and gestures of others.
  • Providers having more time to give the best care to children.
  • Children talking and playing more often.
  • Children being in distress less often.
  • Children being less exposed to danger.

Grouping children in smaller numbers has been associated with:

  • Providers being able to give better attention to the children.
  • Children having more positive developmental outcomes.
  • Children being more cooperative and more responsive to adults and other children.
  • Children being more likely to speak without being urged.
  • Children being less likely to wander aimlessly or be uninvolved in activities.
  • Children scoring higher on standardized tests.

The chart below gives American Public Health Association/American Academy of Pediatrics (APHA/AAP) recommendations by age for group size and child-to-staff ratios. Your state’s regulations may be different.

Age Maximum Group Size Child-to-Staff Ratio
0 to 24 months 6 3:1
25 to 30 months 8 4:1
31 to 35 months 10 5:1
3 years 14 7:1
4 to 6 years 16 8:1
Note: This information is not intended to take the place of your state's or locality's child care regulations and laws. In every case, the laws and regulations of the city, county, and state in which the child care facility is located must be carefully followed even if they differ from these recommendations.

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