20 CAR § 1026-301 – Staff-to-child ratios

(a) Staff-to-child ratio table.

Adult Caregiver(s)	Number of Children	Ages of Children
	A. 3-6	0-up (no more than 3 under 2 years)
	B. 7	0-up (no more than 2 under 2 years)
ONE	C. 8	0-up (no more than 1 under 2 years)
	D. 9	2-up (no more than 3 between 2 and 3 years)
	E. 10	3-up
	A. 3-6	0-up
	B. 7	0-up (no more than 4 under 2 years)
TWO	C. 8	0-up (no more than 4 under 2 years)
	D. 9	0-up (no more than 4 under 2 years)
	E. 10-14	0-up (no more than 4 under 2 years)
	F. 15-16	0-up (no more than 2 under 2 years)
	A. 7	0-up (no more than 5 under 2 years)
	B. 8	0-up (no more than 5 under 2 years)
	C. 9	0-up (no more than 5 under 2 years)
	D. 10-14	0-up (no more than 5 under 2 years)
	E. 15-16	0-up (no more than 4 under 2 years)

(b)
1. (1) Fire inspection is mandatory for homes licensed for eleven (11) or more children.
2. (2) Health inspection (food service) is mandatory for homes licensed for eleven (11) or more children.
(c)
1. (1) The caregiver shall be responsible for children in care at all times and shall exercise prudent supervision.
2. (2) When a caregiver is not in the same room with children, the:
  1. (A) Children shall be frequently observed; and
  2. (B) Caregiver shall remain close enough to easily hear them.
3. (3) Doors to rooms where children are sleeping or playing within the home shall remain open and sleeping children shall be visually monitored and periodically checked to ensure they are breathing normally.
4. (4) The caregiver shall be present on the outdoor play area at all times when any children are present.
(d) The caregiver shall not leave children unattended in the kitchen area of the home while any cooking is occurring.
(e) Ironing shall not occur in the presence of the children.
(f)
1. (1) The primary caregiver’s own preschool children shall be included in the caregiver-to-child ratio.
2. (2) The primary caregiver’s own school-age children are not considered in the ratio.
(g)
1. (1) A licensed home may care for two (2) school-age children for a short time not to exceed a total of three (3) hours per day before or after a school day.
2. (2) These two (2) children shall not be counted in the caregiver-to-child ratio.
3. (3) School-age children who are in care at times other than before or after a school day shall be included in the caregiver-to-child ratio.
4. (4) These same two (2) children may stay all day in care and not be counted in the ratio due to emergency school closings, such as inclement weather.
5. (5) The home’s capacity shall not be exceeded other than the above stated exemptions.
6. (6) If the attendance exceeds ten (10), fire approval is required.
(h) Additional staff provisions shall be made for enrollment of children with disabilities who require individual attention.