Licensing & compliance
Texas Daycare Ratios and Maximum Group Sizes
In Texas licensed child-care centers, one caregiver may supervise 4 infants. The number rises with age up to 26 school-age children.
Texas child-care center ratios (centers licensed for 13 or more children)
| Age of children | Children per caregiver | Maximum group size |
|---|---|---|
| 0–11 months | 4 | 10 |
| 12–17 months | 5 | 13 |
| 18–23 months | 9 | 18 |
| 2 years | 11 | 22 |
| 3 years | 15 | 30 |
| 4 years | 18 | 35 |
| 5 years | 22 | 35 |
| 6–8 years | 26 | 35 |
| 9–13 years | 26 | 35 |
Source
These figures come from the Texas Minimum Standards for Child-Care Centers, Texas Administrative Code Title 26, Chapter 746, sections 746.1601 (ratios) and 746.1609 (group sizes), regulated by Texas Health and Human Services, Child Care Regulation.
Last verified: October 2026
Rules that can change these numbers
Chapter 746 has separate rules for mixed-age groups, naptime, opening and closing hours, and centers with 12 or fewer children in care. Licensed and registered child-care homes follow different standards. Check the official rules for those cases.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the infant ratio in Texas daycares?
What is the ratio for 2-year-olds in Texas daycares?
What is the maximum group size in a Texas daycare?
This page is a summary for reference, not legal advice.
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