Free compliance tool

State Childcare Ratio & Capacity Finder

Select your state and age group to check staff-to-child ratios from state licensing rules, last verified October 2026, and maximum group sizes. For the full 50-state reference, see our staff-to-child ratios by state guide.

Compliance Tool

State Childcare Ratio & Capacity Finder

Select your state and age group to check staff-to-child ratios from state licensing rules, last verified October 2026.

Select State

Select Age Group

Required Ratio

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Choose a state and age group to see the ratio and capacity limit.

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, and warns when a room is over ratio. Explore Daycare Management Software

State Reference Table

Ratios for the ten states we have checked against state rules. Search to filter.

State

Infant Ratio

Toddler Ratio

Preschool Ratio

Infant Max Group Size

TXTexas

1:4

1:5 (12–17 mo), 1:9 (18–23 mo), 1:11 (2 yr)

1:15 (3 yr), 1:18 (4 yr)

10 children

FLFlorida

1:4

1:6 (1 yr), 1:11 (2 yr)

1:15 (3 yr), 1:20 (4 yr)

None set in statute

OHOhio

1:5 (or 2 staff for 12 in the same room)

1:6 (12–17 mo), 1:7 (18 mo–under 2½), 1:8 (2½–under 3)

1:12 (3 yr), 1:14 (4 yr, not yet kindergarten-eligible)

12 children

CACalifornia

1:4

1:6

1:12

See California page

NCNorth Carolina

North Carolina ratios and maximum group sizes by age band
Age band	Ratio	Max group size
0 to 12 months	1:5	10
12 to 24 months	1:6	12
2 to 3 years	1:10	20
3 to 4 years	1:15	25
4 to 5 years	1:20	25
5 years and older	1:25	25

WIWisconsin

Wisconsin ratios and maximum group sizes by age band
Age band	Ratio	Max group size
Birth to 18 months	1:4	8
18 months to 2½ years	1:7	14
2½ to 3 years	1:8	16
3 to 4 years	1:10	20
4 to 5 years	1:13	26
5 years and over	1:18	36

MDMaryland

Maryland ratios and maximum group sizes by age band
Age band	Ratio	Max group size
Infants	1:3	6
Toddlers	1:3	9
2 years	1:6	12
3 or 4 years	1:10	20
5 years and older	1:15	30

NJNew Jersey

New Jersey ratios and maximum group sizes by age band
Age band	Ratio	Max group size
Under 18 months	1:4	Primary caregiver groups of 4
18 months up to 2½ years	1:6	Primary caregiver groups of 6
2½ years up to 4 years	1:10	Maximum group of 20
4 years	1:12	Maximum group of 20
5 years and older	1:15	Maximum group of 20 (30 in school-age programs)

MIMichigan

Michigan ratios and maximum group sizes by age band
Age band	Ratio	Max group size
Birth until 30 months	1:4	12
30 months until 3 years	1:8	24
3 years until 4 years	1:10	30
4 years until school age	1:12	40
School-agers	1:18	54

VAVirginia

Virginia ratios and maximum group sizes by age band
Age band	Ratio	Max group size
Birth up to 16 months	1:4	12
16 months up to 24 months	1:5	15
2 years	1:8	24
3 years up to school-age eligible	1:10	30
School-age eligible up to 9 years	1:18	None set
9 through 12 years	1:20	None set

Staff-to-child ratios from state licensing rules, last verified October 2026. For any other state, we have not yet verified the figures; check your state licensing agency.

Read the full 2026 staff-to-child ratio guide

Track staff-to-child ratios in Caredence

Caredence compares checked-in children to checked-in staff in each room against a limit your center sets. It does not apply state rules for you.

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