California Daycare Ratios by Age

California child care center ratios (Title 22)

Source

These figures come from California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12, sections 101216.3 (preschool), 101416.5 (infants), and 101516.5 (school age), administered by the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division.

Last verified: October 2026

Rules that can change these numbers

State-funded child development programs operating under Title 5 follow different ratios and are not required to meet the Title 22 ratios above. In school-age programs, mixed-age groups are staffed for the youngest child in the group. During infant nap time, one teacher may watch up to 12 sleeping infants if the other required staff are immediately available at the center. Family child care homes follow different rules.

Track staff-to-child ratios in Caredence

Caredence compares the children checked in to each classroom with the staff checked in to that room, using the children-per-staff limit your center sets for the room, and shows an over-ratio warning when there aren't enough staff. It doesn't apply state rules automatically, so use the figures above to choose each room's limit.

Check another location with the state ratio calculator, or see how Caredence supports daycare compliance.

For a national overview, read the staff-to-child ratios by state guide.