Low adult-to-child ratios and small group sizes are essential for supporting children’s health, safety and development in child care settings. In recognition of the unique needs of infants and toddlers, ZERO TO THREE recommends the following:
In center-based settings:
- A ratio of 1 adult for every 4 children under the age of three with a maximum group size of 8 children.
In regulated family child care settings:
- For mixed-age groups, a ratio of 1 adult for every 6 children, including no more than 2 children under age two, with a maximum group size of 12 children. When there are 7 or more children present, the educator ensures there are at least two qualified adults and no more than 4 are under the age of two years.
- For groups with infants and toddlers only (i.e., all children are under 36 months) with a single educator, the maximum group size is 4 children, with no more than 2 under 18 months of age.
These recommendations are based on evidence about supporting child development, practical elements related to supporting health and safety, and national standards for quality held by the Head Start Program Performance Standards and National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) Accreditation. In addition to keeping children safe, low ratios and group sizes prevent educator burnout and turnover.
What we know about child care ratios and group sizes in states
Rules for ratios and group sizes vary significantly from state to state and fall short of national recommendations. The gap between state licensing regulations and best practice recommendations for ratios and group sizes is particularly glaring for toddlers in center-based settings and in family child care settings.
Several states have weakened support for child safety and development by increasing ratios and group sizes, and more states may be considering such changes. Increasing ratios and groups sizes in family child care may seem like a solution to the child care crisis, but there are better ways to increase child care supply for infants and toddlers that both protect children and support the educators who care for them. For other solutions and state examples, check out State Options to Expand Infant and Toddler Child Care Supply.
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