PURPOSE: This rule provides the number of
staff required for specific ages and numbers of children in
care.
(1)
Staff/child ratios shall be maintained at all times.
(A) The staff/child ratio and group size
shall be followed as outlined in the chart below unless it meets an exception
in subsections (1)(B)-(G) below.
|
Ages of Children in
Group
|
Description for the Purpose of this
Rule
|
Minimum Staff/Child
Ratio
|
Maximum Group Size
|
|
Infants, toddlers, and 2-year-olds
|
Birth to 36 months
|
1:4
|
8
|
|
2-year-olds
|
Groups composed solely of children 24 to 36
months
|
1:8
|
16
|
|
3 through 4-year-olds
|
Groups composed solely of children 3 to 4 years
old
|
1:10
|
20
|
|
5-year-olds and up
|
Groups composed solely of children 5 years or
older
|
1:16
|
32
|
|
Mixed ages (Type 1) 2-year-olds and older, with a
maximum of four (4) 2-year-olds
|
A mixed group of children consisting of no more
than 4 children ages 24 to 36 months, and at least one child older than 36
months
|
1:10
|
20
|
|
Mixed ages (Type 2) 2-year-olds and older, with
more than four (4) 2-year-olds
|
A mixed group of children consisting of more than 4
children ages 24 to 36 months, and at least one child older than 36
months
|
1:8
|
16
|
(B)
For group child care homes licensed for a maximum of four (4) infants/toddlers
or for child care centers licensed for a maximum of twenty (20) children,
including no more than four (4) infants/toddlers, multiple groups may occupy
the same physical space.
(C) During
naptime, groups composed of children two (2) years old and older shall not be
required to maintain staff/child ratio within the napping area, but shall not
exceed group size limitations. The required staff/child ratio shall be
maintained on the premises during naptime.
(D) Groups composed of children two (2) years
old and older shall not be required to maintain group sizes during -
1. Outdoor play;
2. Indoor gross motor activities in a
gymnasium or multi-purpose room;
3.
Meals;
4. Field trips;
and
5. Special events including but
not limited to guest speakers, assemblies, and celebrations.
(E) Group size requirements shall
not apply when children are transported to or from the facility.
(F) For programs licensed exclusively for
school-age children, multiple groups may occupy the same physical
space.
(G) During outdoor play,
staff/child ratios may be one and one-half (1 1/2) times the indoor staff/child
ratios if children two (2) years of age or younger are not present in the
outdoor play space. The required indoor staff/child ratios shall be maintained
on the premises at all times.
(2) If a center has an attendance of more
than fifty (50) children, the center director or individual in charge shall not
be included in staff/child ratios except during naptime or on an emergency
substitute basis.
(3) If a center
has an attendance of more than thirty (30) children at lunch or dinner time,
staff shall be provided for meal preparation, serving, and clean-up. The staff
shall not be included in staff/child ratios during this time.
(4) Individuals employed for clerical,
housekeeping, cleaning, and maintenance shall not be included in staff/child
ratios while performing those duties.
