Child Care Providers: Safe Child-Staff Ratio and Group Size

Topic Overview

The number of children per adult care provider and the total group size are two important factors that indicate the quality and safety of a child care setting. The recommended guidelines for these factors vary by the child's age, the type and size of the child care center, and other aspects. For example, recommendations for group child care centers are shown below:¹

**Safe child-staff ratio and group size for group child care**
Children's ages	Maximum child-to-staff ratio	Maximum group size
12 months or younger	3 to 1	6
13 to 35 months	4 to 1	8
3 years	7 to 1	14
4 years	8 to 1	16
5 years	8 to 1	16
6 to 8 years	10 to 1	20
9 to 12 years	12 to 1	24

Related Information

Choosing Child Care

References

Citations
American Academy of Pediatrics, et al. (2002). Caring for Our Children—National Health and Safety Standards: Guidelines for Out-of-Home Child Care Programs, 2nd ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.

Credits

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer	John Pope, MD - Pediatrics
Last Revised	September 14, 2012

By:

Healthwise Staff

Last Revised: September 14, 2012

Medical Review:

Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics
John Pope, MD - Pediatrics

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