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 age. A
report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests the
following standards:1
Safe child-staff ratio and group size
| Age |
Staff-to-child ratio |
Maximum group size |
|
Newborn–24 months
|
1:3
|
6
|
|
25–30 months
|
1:4
|
8
|
|
31–35 months
|
1:5
|
10
|
|
3 years
|
1:7
|
14
|
|
4–5 years
|
1:8
|
16
|
|
6–8 years
|
1:10
|
20
|
|
9–12 years
|
1:12
|
24
|
When infants or toddlers are included in mixed age groups, the
staff-to-child ratios and group size guidelines for the youngest child should
be followed. Mixed age groups that do not include infants or toddlers should
follow guidelines that reflect the most common age.
References
Citations
-
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2002). 13 Indicators of Quality Child Care: Research Update. Available online: http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/ccquality-ind02.
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
John Pope, MD - Pediatrics |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics |
|
Last Revised
|
September 23, 2010 |
Last Revised:
September 23, 2010
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2002). 13 Indicators of Quality Child Care: Research Update. Available online: http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/ccquality-ind02.
