# Child care staff-to-child ratios by state

Source: https://backpr.com/resources/child-care-ratios-by-state. Last updated: 2026-10-21.

How many children one adult may supervise in a licensed childcare center, for 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds and school-age children, in every state and DC. Checked October 2026 against each state's official rules.

- **1:10 to 1:26** school-age ratios in licensed centers
- **1:13 to 1:15** the most common school-age ratio range (20 jurisdictions)
- **1:8 to 1:20** ratios for 4-year-olds
- **50 of 51** jurisdictions with a confirmed school-age ratio

| State | 3-year-olds | 4-year-olds | School-age | Max school-age group size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Alabama](https://backpr.com/resources/states/alabama) | 1:11 | 1:18 | 1:21 | No set maximum |
| [Alaska](https://backpr.com/resources/states/alaska) | 1:10 | 1:10 | 1:18 | 36 children |
| [Arizona](https://backpr.com/resources/states/arizona) | 1:13 | 1:15 | 1:20 | No set maximum |
| [Arkansas](https://backpr.com/resources/states/arkansas) | 1:12 | 1:15 | 1:18 | 36 children |
| [California](https://backpr.com/resources/states/california) | 1:12 | 1:12 | 1:14 | No set maximum |
| [Colorado](https://backpr.com/resources/states/colorado) | 1:10 | 1:12 | 1:15 | 30 children |
| [Connecticut](https://backpr.com/resources/states/connecticut) | 1:10 | 1:10 | 1:15 | 30 children |
| [Delaware](https://backpr.com/resources/states/delaware) | 1:10 | 1:12 | 1:15 | 30 children |
| [District of Columbia](https://backpr.com/resources/states/district-of-columbia) | 1:8 | 1:10 | 1:15 | 30 children |
| [Florida](https://backpr.com/resources/states/florida) | 1:15 | 1:20 | 1:25 | No set maximum |
| [Georgia](https://backpr.com/resources/states/georgia) | 1:15 | 1:18 | 1:25 | 50 children |
| [Hawaii](https://backpr.com/resources/states/hawaii) | 1:12 | 1:16 | 1:20 | 40 children |
| [Idaho](https://backpr.com/resources/states/idaho) | 1:13 | 1:13 | 1:25 | No set maximum |
| [Illinois](https://backpr.com/resources/states/illinois) | 1:10 | 1:10 | 1:20 | 30 children |
| [Indiana](https://backpr.com/resources/states/indiana) | 1:11 | 1:13 | 1:20 | 40 children |
| [Iowa](https://backpr.com/resources/states/iowa) | 1:10 | 1:12 | 1:15 | No set maximum |
| [Kansas](https://backpr.com/resources/states/kansas) | 1:12 | 1:12 | 1:16 | 32 children |
| [Kentucky](https://backpr.com/resources/states/kentucky) | 1:12 | 1:14 | 1:15 | 30 children |
| [Louisiana](https://backpr.com/resources/states/louisiana) | 1:13 | 1:15 | 1:23 | 46 children |
| [Maine](https://backpr.com/resources/states/maine) | 1:7 | 1:10 | 1:13 | No set maximum |
| [Maryland](https://backpr.com/resources/states/maryland) | 1:10 | 1:10 | 1:15 | 30 children |
| [Massachusetts](https://backpr.com/resources/states/massachusetts) | 1:10 | 1:10 | 1:13 | 26 children |
| [Michigan](https://backpr.com/resources/states/michigan) | 1:10 | 1:12 | 1:18 | 54 children |
| [Minnesota](https://backpr.com/resources/states/minnesota) | 1:10 | 1:10 | 1:15 | 30 children |
| [Mississippi](https://backpr.com/resources/states/mississippi) | 1:14 | 1:16 | 1:20 | 40 children |
| [Missouri](https://backpr.com/resources/states/missouri) | 1:10 | 1:10 | 1:16 | 32 children |
| [Montana](https://backpr.com/resources/states/montana) | 1:10 | 1:10 | 1:20 | 40 children |
| [Nebraska](https://backpr.com/resources/states/nebraska) | 1:10 | 1:12 | 1:15 | No set maximum |
| [Nevada](https://backpr.com/resources/states/nevada) | 1:12 | 1:13 | 1:18 | 36 children |
| [New Hampshire](https://backpr.com/resources/states/new-hampshire) | 1:8 | 1:12 | 1:15 | 45 children |
| [New Jersey](https://backpr.com/resources/states/new-jersey) | 1:10 | 1:12 | 1:15 | 30 children |
| [New Mexico](https://backpr.com/resources/states/new-mexico) | 1:12 | 1:12 | 1:15 | 30 children |
| [New York](https://backpr.com/resources/states/new-york) | 1:7 | 1:8 | 1:10 | 20 children |
| [North Carolina](https://backpr.com/resources/states/north-carolina) | 1:15 | 1:20 | 1:25 | 25 children |
| [North Dakota](https://backpr.com/resources/states/north-dakota) | 1:7 | 1:10 | 1:20 | 40 children |
| [Ohio](https://backpr.com/resources/states/ohio) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | - |
| [Oklahoma](https://backpr.com/resources/states/oklahoma) | 1:12 | 1:15 | 1:20 | 40 children |
| [Oregon](https://backpr.com/resources/states/oregon) | 1:10 | 1:10 | 1:15 | 30 children |
| [Pennsylvania](https://backpr.com/resources/states/pennsylvania) | 1:10 | 1:10 | 1:12 | 24 children |
| [Rhode Island](https://backpr.com/resources/states/rhode-island) | 1:9 | 1:10 | 1:13 | 26 children |
| [South Carolina](https://backpr.com/resources/states/south-carolina) | 1:12 | 1:17 | 1:23 | No set maximum |
| [South Dakota](https://backpr.com/resources/states/south-dakota) | 1:10 | 1:10 | 1:15 | No set maximum |
| [Tennessee](https://backpr.com/resources/states/tennessee) | 1:9 | 1:13 | 1:20 | No set maximum |
| [Texas](https://backpr.com/resources/states/texas) | 1:15 | 1:18 | 1:26 | 35 children |
| [Utah](https://backpr.com/resources/states/utah) | 1:12 | 1:15 | 1:20 | 40 children |
| [Vermont](https://backpr.com/resources/states/vermont) | 1:10 | 1:10 | 1:13 | 26 children |
| [Virginia](https://backpr.com/resources/states/virginia) | 1:10 | 1:10 | 1:18 | No set maximum |
| [Washington](https://backpr.com/resources/states/washington) | 1:10 | 1:10 | 1:15 | 30 children |
| [West Virginia](https://backpr.com/resources/states/west-virginia) | 1:10 | 1:12 | 1:16 | 32 children |
| [Wisconsin](https://backpr.com/resources/states/wisconsin) | 1:10 | 1:13 | 1:18 | 36 children |
| [Wyoming](https://backpr.com/resources/states/wyoming) | 1:12 | 1:12 | 1:18 | 40 children |

- Each ratio is the number of children one adult may supervise. A ratio of 1:15 means one adult for every 15 children.
- Where a state sets more than one school-age ratio, the table shows the ratio for the youngest school-age group. Each state page lists every age band.
- The table covers licensed childcare centers. Camps, after-school programs and license-exempt programs can follow different rules; each state page explains its exemptions.
- Infant and toddler ratios aren't in this table. Check your state's official rules, linked on each state page.
- We couldn't confirm a school-age ratio for Ohio when we checked.
- General information, not legal advice. Confirm with your state's licensing agency.

### Questions

**Which state has the strictest ratio for school-age children?**
New York, at 1:10 for its youngest school-age group in licensed childcare centers, among the 50 jurisdictions we confirmed. That means one adult for every 10 children. Ratios for older groups may differ; see each state page.

**Which state allows the most school-age children per adult?**
Texas, at 1:26 for its youngest school-age group in licensed childcare centers, among the 50 jurisdictions we confirmed. Ratios for older groups may differ; see each state page.

**What does a 1:15 ratio mean?**
One adult for every 15 children. A group of 30 school-age children at 1:15 needs at least two adults. Many states also cap how large a group can be.

**Do these ratios apply to after-school programs and camps?**
The table shows the ratios for licensed childcare centers. Many after-school programs and camps are license-exempt or follow other rules. Each state page explains which programs are exempt.

**How many staff do I need for my group?**
Divide the number of children by the second number in your state's ratio (15 in 1:15) and round up. Then check group-size limits and mixed-age rules, which can require more staff. The free staff ratio calculator, linked below, does the math for you.