343.1 Each Child Development Center shall have at least two (2) staff persons caring for each group at all times. In Centers serving infants, toddlers, and/or preschoolers, there shall be a teacher, who may also be the Center Director, and an assistant teacher or aide for each group at all times, except as further specified herein.

343.2 During non-peak hours or during nap/rest periods, another adult staff member or adult volunteer may substitute for one of the staff members specified at subsection 343.1, provided that the group is supervised by at least one teacher or assistant teacher.

343.3 In part-day programs, operating no more than four (4) hours per day, the Child Development Center may substitute an adult volunteer for an assistant teacher or aide.

343.4 In Centers providing out-of-school-time care, the specific requirements of section 348 of this Chapter shall be deemed sufficient for the out-of-school-time program, to the extent that they may differ from the requirements contained in this section.

343.5 The Facility shall maintain the adult/child ratios and group sizes as specified herein:

(a) For Centers serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers:

AGE OF CHILDREN	ADULT/CHILD RATIO	MAXIMUM SIZE OF GROUP
0 - 12 months	1:3	9
0 - 12 months	1:4	8
12 - 24 months	1:3	9
12 - 24 months	1:4	8
24 - 30 months	1:4	12
30 months through 3 years	1:8	16
4 - 5 years	1:10	20

(b) For Centers providing out-of-school-time care to children of legal school age:

AGE OF CHILDREN	ADULT/CHILD RATIO	MAXIMUM SIZE OF GROUP
Under 6 years	1:12	24
6 years and older	1:15	30

343.6 In determining adult/child ratios and maximum group sizes for children up to twenty-four (24) months old, the maximum group size may increase by one child when the adult/child ratio decreases by one child per adult, as shown in the table above at subsection 343.5(a).

343.7 When children of different ages are combined in one group, the adult/child ratio for the youngest child shall apply.

343.8 When children are swimming or playing in water, including "baby" pools, "wading" pools, and full-depth pools, the Facility shall maintain the following adult/child ratios in addition to complying with the water safety requirements contained in section 368 of this Chapter:

AGE OF CHILDREN	ADULT/CHILD RATIO
0 - 24 months	1:1
	Ratios in subsection 343.5 apply

24 months and above

SOURCE: Regulation No. 74-34 published at 21 DCR 1333 (December 27, 1974); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 54 DCR 3793 (April 27, 2007).